2002 Ford Mondeo LX review from UK and Ireland

Nothing. So far so good.

Married, with 3 children aged 11, 9 and 7 and needed a car with a degree of safety, room, comfort and three 3 point belts in the rear. We went to the dealer with the intention of buying a people carrier, and ended up with a Mondeo.

Regrets...none.

The salesman's view was that this was one of the best cars Ford has made. I cannot disagree with him. It's frugal, fast and comfortable. It's good fun to drive, my wife likes it and the children are happy with it, as it's got space, comfort and a better sound system than we've got at home.

I do a mix of motorway driving and driving in the Scottish Highlands. The car is a consummate motorway cruiser, but the diesel engine has enough poke to get past slower vehicles safely on narrow rural roads. Being a canny Scot, I don't see as much of filling stations as I used to.

This year's driving holiday to France should be a walk in the park in this car.

Maintenance wise, all I've done thus far is change the oil, which I do with every car at 6000 mile intervals.

Only with hindsight, do I now know that Jeremy Clarkson wasn't far off the mark when he panned the Vectra after it came out. It's a shame it took so long for me to realise he was right.

I'm in danger of turning into a car bore I like it so much!