This year I have had two long journeys with impressive MPG in my 2002 1.4. The latest is 72.5 over 180 miles using the dash indicator. When later filling up this worked out at 59.3 over the full tank(66.3 indicated) which then included some city work too.
Like Jocko I pull the highest gear I can, 38psi and stay within speed limits as I have motorbikes for my need for fun and speed! The engine has a very old fashioned torque curve like an old A series Austin Morris unit, but much smoother. More specifically it is suited to sensible driving and not chasing 0-60 times or theoretical top speeds.
I do not know when the car was last serviced, bu the oil has only just become black as opposed to discoloured and the air filter was blown out with an airline, but not changed. It has only done 31k miles so is very low and feels to be in fine fettle being so smooth and absolutely silent at tickover. It really has proved to be a fine car over the 7 months and 6k that I have owned it, with no attention required beyond petrol and windscreen wash. I will change the oil for the winter and apply some Dinitrol as a reward, but that wil be it untill I do a full service next summer.
Long may this peformance continue.