The first question many mechanics will ask you is when was the last time the car’s fuel pump was changed. Electric fuel pumps have a finite lifespan and if yours is the original one that came with the car in 1996, I’d say it’s well and truly past its use-by date. Even if the car is on its second or even third pump, it could well be due for a new one. Without a working fuel pump, you’ll get the exact symptoms you’re experiencing.

The best way to check (if you’re reasonably competent with tools) is to remove the engine’s air intake trunking and spray a small amount of starting fluid into the engine. If the engine then cranks and tries to splutter to life, even briefly, then a dud fuel pump is pretty much a certainty.

That said, there are literally hundreds of things that will also produce the same problem, so a scan of the vehicle might throw up a few clues as to what’s going on.