All models are cheap to run, incur modest servicing bills, and rarely go wrong. The Civic is also cheaper to buy than the equivalent Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf, but more expensive than a Vauxhall Astra.

With values lower than the Ford Focus ST and even the top-spec GT version worth less than the Vauxhall Astra VXR and Volkswagen Golf GTI, the Type R is tempting modern classic. Fuel costs are better than many rivals and it should depreciate slowly.

The Civic performs adequately on the eco front for a car of its age, but none of the engines is especially clean. Eco-conscious buyers should go for the 2.2 i-CTDi – it emits 135g/km of CO2 and can average 55mpg. The Type-R is quite a polluting model but that’s no surprise given that it is a hot hatch. It emits 215g/km of CO2 and can average a respectable 31mpg – although hard driving will easily see this plummet.

Honda’s reputation for reliability is bettered by no other manufacturer and the Civic is superbly built and durable. Problems are incredibly rare and you should expect superb service from Honda dealers should anything go wrong. There was a recall in 2006. The electrical power steering warning lamp may illuminate, and power assistance to the steering will be lost. The driver will not experience any symptoms prior to the failure.

Honda has an excellent reputation for reliability and claimed at the time to have never had a failure on one of its VTEC engines. A well-maintained Type R will go on for years and years – even now.