Marketed as a premium motor car, so costs aren’t the biggest issue and fuel economy is quite good if you opt for one of the diesel units, but depreciation will cost you dearly when you come to sell it. Will make a great used buy in a few years.

Vel Satis is quite a polluting model. With an average of 233 g/km CO2 across the line-up, its emissions are a little high for an executive hatchback. However, it’s worth noting that the line up has a high number of diesel models, bringing the average down and giving buyers more choices of low-emission versions. Diesels typically produce less CO2 than petrol engines with similar power outputs.

The range is not very frugal, averaging 31 mpg.

It looks to have been built to a high standard with good quality materials, but niggling problems can arise as it is quite a complex machine with plenty to go wrong. Only Premier Renault Centres sell and service them.