Volkswagen Golf 1.4 Match

£10,750

They don’t get much more middle of the road than this mid-spec Golf, but look past its grey image and there’s real value here, especially in pre-facelift Mk7 guise at a touch over three years old.

New, the example we have in mind – a one-owner 2015/15-reg car with 41,000 miles – would have cost around £20,750 after a discount. So that’s £10,000 saved for a start. And whereas the facelifted version looks a little sharper, the older one is no different to the untrained eye. Match spec is indecently good: alloy wheels, active cruise control, air conditioning, four electric windows, front and rear parking sensors, a centre armrest and a leather-covered steering wheel. All in addition to the Golf’s standard-fit digital radio, emergency brake assist, electronic parking brake and engine stop/start.

The 1.4 TSI petrol engine produces 123bhp; not a lot, but in a car weighing less than 1200kg, it’ll do. More impressive, it develops 148lb ft from as little as 1400rpm. It’s like a little diesel motor, only quieter, smoother and sweeter. It’s almost as economical too: certainly in the early 50s without much effort.

There’s nothing stopping you buying the diesel version, of course. Like for like, it’s about £750 cheaper. However, the petrol looks like being better future-proofed.

Being the Match rather than the base S, our chosen example has multi-link rear suspension for an even better ride and sharper handling. The Mk7 may have shed weight but the doors still thud shut, the paint is thick and the interior is rock solid. Pound to a penny, our car will look and feel as good as the day it left the showroom.