Ask any motoring journalist and they will tell you that press cars live a hard life, particularly performance models. The limits of their performance and handling will have been explored far more regularly than a normal owner would, up to and including top speed runs and drifting under the excuse of testing.

On the other hand, press cars are normally highly specified and are pampered by the press garages that look after them. They will have received comprehensive checks before and after every loan, often on a weekly basis, and been serviced strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

An ex-press car is highly unlikely to come with any faults, so ultimately it is down to whether or not its previous life makes it more or less appealing.