MINI

The rules are simple. As long as it's not raining, the hood on the MINI Cooper S Convertible is down. This isn't a problem on my five-mile commute to and from work. It's actually quite pleasant, providing I'm wrapped up warmly.

However, I've been up and down the motorway a few times in the last month and 70mph drives, combined with recent sub-zero temperatures, could have given me hypothermia. Thank goodness for the MINI's heated leather seats and powerful fan. When the hot air is on full blast, a two-hour journey is just about bearable.

The biggest problems when driving with the roof down in winter are the quizzical looks from other motorists... and people no longer want a lift. It seems I only have fair-weather friends.

The only fault on the car came when the remote control key fob stopped working - but thankfully, staff at MINI Park Lane in London stepped in. The blipper works by sending a rolling code which is recognised by a receiver in the car. But, as a security measure, if the fob is pressed 100 times too far from the vehicle to make contact, it stops working.

This can sometimes happen if it's in your bag and the button is repeatedly knocked against another item. Or, of course, if you are fidgeting with the fob because you are shivering uncontrollably!