Accident management companies are always touting the benefits of using a preferred repairer network.

Namely, a guaranteed level of service and a cheaper repair bill.

But when the door mirror on our Mazda2 long-termer needed repairing it revealed one of the downsides of preferred repairer networks.

A bodyshop based in St Ives – a 45-minute drive from our Peterborough office – was initially chosen.

When I spoke to the bodyshop, it said it would be much easier to take the Mazda2 to its Peterborough site

But there was a stumbling block.

While the St Ives bodyshop was a ‘preferred repairer’, the Peterborough facility was not, as it had not yet gone through the approval process.

It is worth pointing out that the company is long established and operates to ISO 9001:2000, BSI Kitemark and PAS 125:2007 standards.

The situation took a couple of days to resolve with another, more local, approved repairer being selected.

It highlights that using preferred repairers doesn’t always make the process go as smoothly – or quickly – as possible.

While I was waiting for the repair, I had the opportunity to drive the Ford Kuga. It made me appreciate the frugal Mazda2, which has been achieving in the region of 48mpg compared to the Kuga’s 34.6mpg (although Ford claims it can achieve 46.3mpg).

Of course, it’s unfair to compare an SUV with a supermini on this basis, but it shows why cars like the Mazda2 are so appealing – especially with fuel prices creeping up again this year.

The Mazda2 is also the ideal city car with its light and nimble handling, and its sporty looks have been admired by a number of people.

Tax-wise, it falls well below the 160g/km of CO2 threshold, with our TS2’s 1.3-litre engine model emitting 125g/km.

My only complaint so far has been the petrol flap which, for no apparent reason, stopped springing open.

The local dealer re-fitted a part and the problem hasn’t occurred since.