"Could I ask in what way it is a better car please?"

Better in the way some of us have tried to imply above. The Ford dealer who gave you only 10 minutes doesn't want your business enough (or the salesman is one of those idiots who think that only men make buying decisions): try another who will give you longer.

I've never owned a Vauxhall in 40 years: I test-drive them quite often to make sure it isn't just prejudice - but apart from the Mark 2 Cavalier of the early 1980s, none of the ones I've tried have been anything other than pedestrian: lifeless steering, so-so handling and engines that seemed reluctant to get up and go. A Vauxhall is a perfectly good car to get you from A to B, but not the best if you want to enjoy the experience as well as get there.

Modern Fords are designed for drivers who do enjoy the experience of driving - lively engines, sharp steering and a good compromise between ride and handling. I don't have one because I'm lucky enough to be able to buy new, and because there are a lot of Fords around, the drop in value is too steep. They make excellent buys secondhand: if holding value is a priorirty for you, add the VW Polo to your shortlist.