Vauxhall Vectra 2.2 DTi LS - 4,765 miles

WE all have stories of where we were and what we were doing when historic events unfolded. If anyone ever feels the need to ask where I was when the London congestion charging scheme was launched I'll say I was in the capital itself covering the event for Fleet News.

My companions for the day were photographer Chris Lowndes and our long-term Vauxhall Vectra 2.2 DTi LS.

The car's satellite navigation system did a brilliant job guiding us around the capital and the journey to our desired destination of Hyde Park Corner was effortless.

Not being a prolific driver in the capital I can't comment on the route it chose and whether it was the quickest or not, but it got us there and made the whole process completely stress-free. It was also a boon having the system to get us out of London. My sense of direction is pretty useless and neither my colleague nor myself relished the thought of having to study a London road map to try to come up with our own route.

Like previous tester Jeremy Bennett, I too experienced a few problems getting to grips with the indicator stalk during my first couple of days in the car – how many times the indicators flash depends on how much pressure is exerted on the stalk. It's a bit of an odd situation having to get used to an indicator stalk, but I eventually did! There are no creaks or rattles I've noticed. And the satellite navigation system did a brilliant job guiding me around London. Mike Roberts

Company car tax bill 2003/04 (22% taxpayer): £64.92 per month