Long term: Ford Focus C-Max 2.0 TDCi Ghia

The incident was in no way related to country folk revolt – just one of those rural backwater things: the young gelding, Aero, got spooked by other traffic and barged, hindquarters first, into the C-Max driver’s side mirror, ripping it from its mountings and gouging a stirrup line across the offside wing and driver’s door before his rider brought him under control.

Total damage: about £1,300 – except we never managed to get that sorted before Ford turned up to collect it. We’d taken the car to our local Ford main dealer, TC Harrison in Peterborough, who duly inspected, reflected and estimated. The insurer, however, informed us that TCH Peterborough was “not an authorised repairer” and instructed us to take it to another dealer in Huntingdon, about 20 miles away.

Thankfully we were saved the time and trouble.

So – an ignominious end to a fleet car that has surprised and delighted the editorial team drivers at AM during its six-month tenure. It also raises some interesting questions about accident claim procedures.

Price: £18,375 (Ghia)
Test period: April - September
Engine: 2.0 Duratorq TDCi, 136bhp, 225lb-ft
Final mileage: 10,950
Faults: None, bar split sreen-wash reservoir cap
CAP RV (3yr/30k): £6,700 (36%)
CAP RV (3yr/60k): £5,800 (31%)
Likes: Engine; space
Dislikes: 40-ish mpg; body roll; horses