In the web-based world, you become used to having everything in an instant, from the film of your choice downloaded in seconds to instant answers to any question you care to ask online.

For this download generation, the car is a bit of a relic, particularly when it comes to fixing problems quickly - you can’t just download a new windscreen for a Peugeot 308 test car for example.

Recently, a flying stone hit the bottom corner of the windscreen and bloomed into a spiralling 10-inch crack right in front of the driver’s eyeline.

After the weekend, a couple of quick calls were promising and I was giving my details to a glass repair specialist ready for my repair to be booked in. In the meantime I started cycling into work for a bit of Tour de France-inspired exercise.

By Thursday, I was enjoying cycling as much as Chris Froome had been, so a call to tell me that my Peugeot windscreen wasn’t in stock and I would have to wait a week for the next update pushed me towards alternative test car-based transport.

It is an interesting case study into the impact of off-road time, as a company that resorted to a rental car could be eyeing the rising bill closely by now and asking questions.

Aside from stone-based interference, the 308 has been a star performer, delivering 55mpg and a relaxed and comfortable driver after one mammoth 300 mile six-hour round trip.

It also scored a first for stalkers, after I was followed by another car driver who pulled up at my destination and excitedly explained how much he enjoyed his ageing 307 and wanted my view of the car.

My answer? It’s an award-winning car and mostly it justifies such high praise. With recent experience, I would have added: “Just watch out for stones.”

John Maslen