If you want to get to know a car fast – drive it across Britain from west to east. We do great motorways north and south but a journey from Gloucestershire to Norfolk is testing, even in a decent car.

The MG3 deserves to be taken seriously for offering so much for so little cash. Even cynical old me thought a sub £10K car with DAB radio, auto lights and wipers, Bluetooth and even cruise control was pretty decent for the money. The 3 has everything you would expect and more for a budget supermini.

What I quickly discovered was the MG would be a whole lot better if it had a decent engine, better steering and proper suspension instead. All three are sadly missing and quite frankly, as much as I dislike Ford, a Fiesta represents much better value for money in the long run.

And there’s one other thing. I’m a 50-year-old bloke who is in touch with his feminine side. However, our test car has pink door mirrors and a bonkers chequered roof. I feel conspicuous and am wearing sunglasses whenever I pop to the shops.

Do we really need decals on a supermini? It may have an MG badge but really this car has as much to do with MG as I have with Shakespeare.