The range of engines available are all economical for their outputs. Volkswagen servicing, parts and labour costs can sometimes be expensive but long service intervals and good reliability will help keep running costs down. The 1.6-litre diesel Bluemotion Technology model is claimed to average 66mpg while also benefiting from cheap tax, further cutting running costs.

The most economical version of the previous Beetle was the 1.9-litre TDI, which emitted 143g/km of CO2 and could average 52mpg. Modern technology has moved things on somewhat and the Beetle now gets a 1.6-litre BlueMotion Technology version, with stop/start and battery regeneration, which cuts emissions to 114g/km of CO2. Average economy is claimed to be 66mpg.

The entry level 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine is reputed to return 48mpg and emit 137g/km of CO2, the 1.4-litre TSI petrol 43mpg and 153g/km of CO2, while the range-topping 2.0-litre TSI manages emissions of 173g/km of CO2 and an average economy of 38mpg.

Volkswagen has a strong reputation for reliability and durability so potential buyers needn’t worry about failures. The Beetle shares many well-tested components with existing models, meaning that major issues should be few and far between.