Verdict

►So does the Suzuki Swift make a sensible used car purchase? At the moment, most definitely. It’s no more expensive than mainstream models such as the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa and VW Polo but, on the whole, it’s far less likely to go wrong, while it is also terrific fun to drive, with lively engines and a great chassis. If you want a supermini that’s perfectly at home on motorways, has decent performance and great fuel economy, then the Swift is as good a small car as you’ll get, with only the Toyota Yaris and some examples of the Skoda Fabia offering the same levels of driver appeal and value for money.

Buying one doesn’t come without its caveats, though, and while the 1.3- and 1.5-litre petrol models that make up the bulk of the Swifts on the used car market today are likely to be extremely reliable mechanically, the early examples are already demonstrating that extra care will be needed to maintain the bodywork in good order over the years to come. Keep on top of that, though, avoid the less-reliable diesel models and budget for a new gearbox at some point during a long ownership and the Swift is a tough little car, both to drive and to beat.