Ford Focus

According to the Office of National Statistics, the average British driver travels 9,200 miles a year. But our Ford Focus swept past that after less than six months, and the odometer currently registers 10,885 miles.

So what's caused our Focus to pile on the miles so fast? Well, although it's been used for commuting in and out of central London most days, it's also undertaken plenty of long hauls.

Not for our five-door hatch a life spent doing the national average of 8.7 miles per journey. In the last six weeks it's been to Wales on three separate occasions for photoshoots and tests. Managing editor Graham Hope also took it to Scotland to collect supplies for his forthcoming wedding, and most recently it's been camping at Glastonbury with deputy art editor Eileen Pegden.

The car still has the parking permit to prove it - the ticket is now permanently attached after being baked on by the heatwave that followed the deluge of water which washed most of the music festival campers away. Luckily for Eileen and the Focus, they were pitched on much higher ground and therefore survived the floods unscathed.

Even these testing conditions and acting as the office workhorse haven't upset the Ford's composure. It's been a popular choice due to its refinement, road manners and excellent economy, never failing to return less than 40mpg. That's not to say it's been totally problem-free. You may remember we reported in the fleet update in Issue 861 that the engine warning light came on, and the car lost power and went into limp-home mode. The RAC was summoned, but while the Focus wouldn't start, the mechanic couldn't find any fault with the car.

With the local garage stumped by the problem, the hatch went back to Ford's HQ. After a string of tests, it all boiled down to a troublesome fuel gauge and trip computer, which indicated the car had a quarter of a tank and 95 miles left when in fact it was running on fumes! A quick recalibration of the offending gauge and we were on the road again.

The miles have really made a difference to the 1.6-litre TDCi unit. Acceleration is now far stronger and, with the gearbox having lost much of its tightness, the Focus really is a joy to drive, if a touch noisy. Even all the recent trips have failed to make a mark on the interior, which is scuff-free. My only gripe is that loading the in-dash CD changer is rather fiddly. But if that's the only complaint in six months of hard driving, we've little to worry about. Lesley Harris

Second Opinion
I'd just like to add my name to the list of Focus fans. I borrowed it for a week off and although I didn't match the massive mileages of some of my colleagues, I still came away thoroughly impressed with how the Ford conducts itself. Whether called upon for shopping excursions, or simply going to see friends, the family hatch deals with everyday motoring brilliantly. It's effortless to drive, yet thoroughly entertaining - and I can't really fault it. Owen Mildenhall, road tester