Although there is a reasonable amount of equipment for the money, the B-Class is priced significantly higher than other cars that do a similar job. It’s also not available with seven-seats, limiting it’s appeal for larger families. Mercedes-Benz servicing does not come cheaply either, but economy, especially on the diesel models, is good.

The B-Class performs fairly well on the eco front – and the introduction of BlueEFFICIENCY has improved things further. It’s not as green as a BMW, but the majority of engines provide decent economy. However, the best model is actually the B180 CDI which emits 137g/km of CO2 and averages 54mpg.

Mercedes-Benz has suffered from some electrical faults with a few recent models, such as the 2002 E-Class and CLK. This resulted in a commitment to tackle reliability and the B-class is much better. As well as an unlimited mileage warranty, it also comes with a 30-year breakdown and corrosion guarantee – as long as the car has been maintained by a Mercedes-Benz-authorised repairer.