The current Vauxhall Corsa and Fiat Punto compete on equal terms in the value stakes. On 00X, a Corsa 1.2 16v Club three-door with 30,000 miles starts at around £4,500; a better-equipped 1.2 16v GLS five-door is £5,500 at 15,000 miles.

The Punto has real Italian brio, and is similarly priced. It's tolerably well made, with good interior space and sharp styling. A 10,000-mile OOX 1.2 ELX three-door is about £6,000; a 1.2 16v HLX five-door on the same plate should fetch about £7,500 privately.