‘ST09 XTS’ is a 2009 Alfa Romeo Spider with just 70,000 miles on the clock and five previous owners.

The seller is clearing the decks ahead of extensive foreign travel, an adventure that might even turn into a permanent move, so, why not make a brew and read through the advert for this warts ‘n’ all Alfa Romeo Spider? Because there is a lot to like: Well-specified, its specification includes a power-hood and power-folding mirrors, air-conditioning, cruise-control, a six-speed manual gearbox, electric front seats, and a remote alarm and central-locking.

Speaking of warts, shall we first talk about the elephant in the room, the Cat N marker you’re all thinking is probably enough to deter you from bidding? As you can see from the photo, this amounted to a dent in the nearside rear wing, a minor issue that the seller had his bodyshop repair it for peanuts.

However, it would have been so expensive using main dealer parts and labour rates that the insurance company decided it just wasn’t ...