B is for...

Bluetooth connectivity 

This is a no brainer for anyone who covers a lot of miles, as it’s against the law to use a hand-held phone when driving. Makers are catching on, selling the kit as standard on a number of models.

The electronic gadget allows you to hook up Bluetooth-enabled phones to the car and speak hands-free, using buttons on the dashboard to answer or end calls. 

Typically, it costs a few hundred pounds, and the complexity of the system varies from brand to brand; some rely on voice controls to sync your phone to the vehicle, while others use buttons or touchscreens.

A multitude of aftermarket add-ons provide a similar experience for less money. They often clip to the sun visor, so don’t look very tidy, and their quality can be hit and miss; factory-fit designs are generally more attractive and effective. 

Our advice is to find a spec that offers the device as standard (eg. Ford Fiesta Titanium, VW Golf Match, all BMW 5-Series), or the most cost-effective way of getting it as an option – it’s often packaged with a stereo upgrade, and is a popular promotional tool, so look for low-cost offers. Bluetooth is unlikely to add 

to your car’s resale value, but will make it easier to shift.