1.4 SE Sport

It just goes on and on!

We bought this car brand new as a second car in April 2004, mostly based on HJ's recommendation and a growing appreciation of the reliability and engineering of Japanese cars. We also had two young boys at the time so versatility were prioritised over fashion.

After a year, my wife got a new job with a company car. She chose a Honda Accord, of course. So we passed this car onto my Mum who had it for about 10 years or so. It was faultless apart from alloy wheel corrosion - they were replaced under warranty with new items at 34 months! Now, my Mum serviced the car on the nail and kept it clean, but it's fair to say that it acquired some noticeable car park scars along the way.

Anyway, the time came for her to need an auto - so a 2012 Jazz CVT Mark 2 was the natural choice! She still has that, does 2000 miles a year and loves it.

At about the same time, our oldest lad turned 17, so we took the Jazz back and it became the teenager chariot. They both, in time, passed their test and still share the car to this day, even though one has moved out recently.

Everything - and I mean everything - still works after about 95k miles. It has an annual service, and MOT and - that's it! It gets what it needs but doesn't really get any TLC. The engine is so smooth and the oil is still honey coloured after a year in the car. I keep expecting the annual service and MOT to flag up an economically unrealistic repair requirement leading to sc***ping or a trade in. But it keeps passing with no advisories at the 16-year mark.

This car has left its mark - apart form the Accord, we've had a couple of other Japanese brand cars since the Jazz, the latest being a Lexus. It has a depth of engineering that you can feel, just like the Jazz. My latest car is a Golf and it's had more issues in 18 months that the Jazz has had in 16 years. So much for Germanic solidity.

It's not the trendiest or best looking car we've had but it's definitely the overall winner!

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