I have noticed from time to time, that you have requested information from your readers as to the actual mileage per gallon that they have achieved, as opposed to manufacturers pie in the sky figures. I have had a 2002 Toyota Avensis 1,794cc since May 2003 which has mainly been used by my wife for rather short journeys around Essex. My eldest boy lived in Loughborough until recently and the car usually returned around 33 to 38 mpg on the journey to visit from Benfleet, which consisted of A127 dual carriageway, M25 then M11 then A1 to Stamford followed by the A-roads through to Oakham and Melton Mowbray with mainly 65-70 mph along the motorway part in fifth gear.

He recently had to move to Tytherington, Cheshire and our first visit there, surprised me when I found the tank still seemed to be more than half full. Our route had taken the A127, followed by the M25, M1, M6 to Junc.17, then A-roads through Congleton and Macclesfield to our destination (216 miles). I had anticipated filling up before the return trip, but in view of the petrol indicator, decided to take the same route back home which registered 432 miles for the round trip, which still showed around a quarter full. I had tried to keep to around 65-70 mph except when on the M1.

50mph limits caused a lessening in speed for both journeys and when I worked out the consumption, I was surprised to find it was 48.25 to the gallon. I was quite surprised by this but had to admit that with a steady speed in mainly fifth gear on the motorways, gave me what I consider to be an outstanding performance. Trust this may be of interest.