The 508 has suffered a few minor glitches this month which will prompt a visit to the local dealer for a diagnostics check shortly.

The entertainment/communications package returned to its default setting for the second time - 00:00 January 1, 2007 – which was followed by the trip computer crashing on the journey record to claim an average fuel consumption of 999mpg (see picture)!

Occasionally I’ve exceeded the manufacturer’s official mpg, but this takes it to a whole new level. Since re-zeroing the trip, I’ve returned to a more usual 54.2mpg, just slightly below the combined 57.6mpg figure.

However, that wasn’t the end to our gremlins this month. The blower jammed on windscreen de-mist and could only be switched off by pressing the aircon ‘max’ button – and that resulted in an icy blast of sub-15 deg. C air.

After much fiddling, I finally got the system to revert back to normal and I’ve not had any recurrence.

One issue I’ve not revolved, though, is the Bluetooth. My phone appears to be properly patched in but while I can hear the caller, they can’t hear me. At least it means there’s no chance of me taking a call while driving.

On more positive notes, I must be one of the few people to cheer the first icy windscreen of winter. Finally, temperatures have fallen sufficiently to allow me to test the 508’s cold weather tyres.

So far, grip is good on accelerating, braking and cornering; all I need now is some snow for the ultimate test. I’ve also not noticed any discernible increase in fuel consumption as commented by some testers in other cars: the 508 stays pretty consistent in the low to mid 50s.

And it’s far from being all negatives about the 508. It is an excellent car: spacious, comfortable, easy to drive over long distances, well equipped in SR trim (we also have the £255 rear parking sensors), good access to the rear when fastening child seats and pretty frugal as well.

With a tank capable of swallowing £95 worth of fuel, the 508 is capable of covering 800-plus miles if driven efficiently.

A few hiccups aside, the 508 is worth considering in what is a highly competitive segment of the market.