The biggest worry is a prominent metallic buzzing that's present throughout the rev range. In fact the resonance is so severe that it could be the root of many of the other rattles.

We booked the Clio into Camden Renault of Northampton to have the problem investigated. Chee dropped off the car on the Friday before Jubilee weekend and reported that he had to wait for about 30 minutes to be seen. The following Wednesday, Camden called to tell me that the car needed a new centre section for the exhaust. Blown baffles, apparently, which explained the off-putting racket.

Failing to spot that the car was less than a year old, Camden told me it would cost ΂£325 to fit the new bits. I reminded them that the 172 was still under warranty and the service department said they'd call back to arrange a booking. They didn't - and it took another four calls before they finally got back to me, only to say that the part was on back order (is it a common Clio fault?) and that they couldn't give me a definite date.

By now it was Friday and they'd had the car long enough, so after another 30-minute wait I finally got my Clio back. The official line was still that the parts wouldn't be available for some time. Then next morning a compliments slip landed on the mat telling me that the parts were sitting at the dealer waiting for my car! Very odd. So collecting the Clio the previous day had been a waste of time? No. The parts were ready but the workshop wasn't and it was three weeks until the first available slot. I just hope the new exhaust will restore the Clio to something like full health.