Residual values are in-line with the top performers in this class, such as the Toyota Yaris and ahead of small people carriers like the Vauxhall Meriva. Fuel consumption is good on all engines – especially the diesels – while insurance groups are impressively low – 4 for the 1.4-litre, 5 for the 1.6-litre and 6 for the 1.5-litre dCi. Nissan servicing is good value too, although the dealers don’t have the same reputation for customer care as Japanese rival Toyota.

The Note is an environmentally friendly model with low emissions across the line-up. Eco-conscious buyers should consider the 1.5-litre diesel, which is one of the greenest models in the range and cheap to tax thanks to low emissions. The latest version can average 63mpg too.

The Sunderland-built Note appears to be very well put together. It’s from the same factory that produced the Primera, Almera and now builds the Micra, three models that have suffered few problems with build quality.