FEW cars on the Fleet News long term test fleet ever cover anything like the mileage of our Volvo S60 D5.

In just six months, the car has clocked up over 15,000 miles, establishing Volvo's credentials in two sectors where it has little recent heritage – saloon cars and diesel engines.

Put simply, every time any test drivers have a long journey ahead of them they negotiate, bargain and cajole to secure the keys to the S60.

The car is a mile-muncher par excellence, returning over 40 mpg while cosseting its driver over monotonous motorway routes, its armchair comfortable seats and pliant ride proving to be one of the most pleasant places to be on UK roads.

However, the fine engine deserves better handling, with the S60 unable to hold a candle to either the Audi A4 or BMW 3-series in terms of driving dynamics. For a keen driver on a rural beat, the Volvo would certainly not be first choice, but for a company car driver who steams up and down motorways and trunkroads, the S60's refined 2.4-litre diesel engine and high specification levels should put the car straight back in contention. The S60's broad bonnet and sculpted boot also maintain a certain presence and executive image in the office car park, without the naked ambition associated with the A4 and 3-series.

However, whether our test Volvo's gold paintwork out-gleams the ubiquitous silver on today's new cars remains to be seen, attracting comments ranging from 'smart' to 'dodgy', so its future appeal in the used car market is unsure.

What used car buyers should know about the S60 D5 is that its engine has not skipped a beat since it arrived at Fleet News, and the car has developed no annoying squeaks, rattles or gripes to tarnish the test experience. It also sailed through its first service, and looks set for a long and trouble-free existence.

Interestingly, my brother-in-law has recently traded in a 10-year-old Volvo 960 estate with more than 200,000 miles on the clock for an astonishing £1,500, with the dealer informing him that only Mercedes-Benz and Volvo estates maintain their equity over such mileages. Our ever-so-smooth 15,000 miles in six months in the S60 suggests this car may take the saloon into such rarefied company.