And the most desirable car in Britain is . . . the Ferrari F355, according to Top Gear magazine, whose hundredth issue celebrates the 100 best cars its testers have ever driven.

Top of the tree is the Ferrari F355, of which the magazine says: "Yes, there are faster Ferraris and even some better-looking Ferraris though not many but few have felt better balanced, more rewarding, and more tactile to drive than the F355."

John Newman, general manager of Ferrari UK, says: "This confirms what we and existing owners all know . . . that the F355 is a fantastic driver's car.

"Although it's not possible to buy a new F355 any more, customers should demand a Formula-prepared car as this ensures total peace of mind for anyone buying one through any of our franchised dealers in the UK."

Top Gear contributor Jeremy Clarkson, who happens to own one, adds: "It's the best mid-engined fun car the world has ever seen."

So, for those in search of Ferrari pleasure, they will enjoy it all the more in the knowledge that, though an F355 can now only be bought secondhand, buying it through the Formula Ferrari Approved Pre-owned Car Programme will ensure that the fun remains undiminished well after the F355 has departed the showroom floor.

Designed to provide the reassurance that buying a new car brings, this factory-backed scheme sees each Formula Ferrari car receiving an intensive 101-point quality assurance inspection that also includes checking the car's title and the accuracy of its mileometer reading.

Each Formula Ferrari car receives a 12 months Ferrari UK Approved Used Car Warranty, which includes roadside assistance and recovery.

Owners also benefit from the Formula Ferrari goodwill charter, which guarantees that:

the car will not require a scheduled service for at least 12 months after purchase or 6000 miles, whichever is sooner

cambelts will be replaced if required within six months

tyres will have a minimum of four millimetres of tread

brake pads and/or discs which wear out within three months or 3000 miles (whichever is sooner) will be replaced if they're defective

the exhaust system will be repaired free of charge if it wears out within three months (excluding accident damage)

the battery is unconditionally guaranteed for three months

any electrical fault with a part fitted as original equipment by the manufacturer and not covered by the Ferrari Used Car Warranty will be rectified free of charge within three months of delivery providing the fault has not been caused by non-riginal equipment parts

non-original equipment alarms and in-car entertainment where fitted will be removed at the time of purchase (if requested) as no guarantee on any existing equipment can be offered. Any alarm system or in-car entertainment fitted by the official dealer will be guaranteed for 12 months

on convertible models, any undue water ingress due to wear and tear or maladjustment, evident within three months/ three thousand miles, whichever is sooner, will be repaired free of charge

any car over three years old will have a minimum of nine months MOT

the vehicle's windscreen will be to MOT standard on hand-over

the vehicle's air conditioning will be fully functioning

the vehicle's tracking will be correct on hand-over.