When an ageing car finally gets to that point where you seriously have to consider the pros and cons of paying out to get it through its MOT, sensible (most) people will bite the bullet and have it scraped or sell it for parts.

However, this was before the drifting phenomenon made it out of Japan and into the movies, and even forming its own race series (Formula Drift). Because drifting cars is the coolest spectacle on the planet, its vibe sliding (excuse the pun) comfortably into the BMX and Skate culture, everyone wants a go at it.

This is where you can save a car from the crusher and send it out in style – the equivalent of an elderly person discarding their walking frame and hopping onto a skateboard.

Of course, if you are looking for a learner drift car under £1000, it will need to be RWD and have some power. Cars like old Mazda MX-5s, Toyota MR2s and Nissan Fairladys are perfect and can be found very cheaply if work needs doing. If you type “drift car” into eBay you’ll also find BMWs and old Mercs, also good because of their modest power and RWD.

The car will definitely meet its maker whilst learning how to drift – either burning the clutch out or crashing – but at least it will enter the Pearly Gates backwards and in a cloud of tyre smoke.