The Volvo V40. Now, for years Volvo was the sensible brand. You bought one if you wore a cardigan, listened to Radio 4, and thought a wild night out was two glasses of sherry. But then they built this. The V40. And suddenly, the sensible Swedes turned out something that actually looks rather good. Under the bonnet, you get the 1.6 D2 engine. Now, it won’t snap your neck back when you floor it, but that’s not the point. Because this little diesel is so frugal, you’ll get up to 78 miles per gallon. That’s nearly hybrid territory, except without the smugness. Insurance? Cheap. Running costs? Cheap. And because it’s a Euro 5, it just scrapes under the wire on emissions – so while it doesn’t get ULEZ exemption in London, everywhere else it’s still perfectly welcome. Now, here’s the bit that matters: the service history. This car has been pampered more than a prize-winning poodle. Services recorded at 116, 6,074, 15,609, 22,188, 35,213, 41,077, 47,955, 53,277, 67,366, and 94,287 miles. And just to top it all off, we’ll give it a fresh service before you take it away. Inside, it’s classic Volvo. Comfortable, safe, and built properly – with that floating centre console that looks like it’s been nicked off a spaceship. This isn’t just a car for going from A to B. It’s a car that makes you feel like you’ve got your life together. So, if you want something economical, safe, ridiculously well maintained, and – whisper it – stylish, this is the one. The Volvo V40: proof that being sensible doesn’t have to be boring.