Vauxhall Meriva

On the face of it, no manufacturer can beat Vauxhall’s latest warranty offer. Walk into a showroom, buy one of the firm’s models and you’ll be given a guarantee that lasts the life of the car.

It sounds too good to be true, and it is – but only just.

Sadly, the lifetime cover applies solely to the first owner; sell the car, and it reverts to a familiar three-year deal. Plus, there’s a limit of 100,000 miles. Still, if you plan to hold on to your new Vauxhall, it makes sense – particularly if you pick the versatile Meriva. Clever FlexDoors, strong quality and punchy turbo petrol and diesel engines make the supermini-MPV a sound buy.