Most reliable used MPV, SUV or maybe estate for £10k?

ollysavingmoney

I've got a 51-reg car at the moment, which is starting to give me loads of issues, so am looking to buy a replacement used car soon, having ruled out leasing.

• Must be automatic
• Must have lots of space e.g. MPV, SUV or estate
• Not bothered about brand or gadgets
• Priority is reliability

Any suggestions or experiences people can share? I read plenty of horror stories online e.g. avoid 7-speed dry clutch DSG gearboxes, avoid Vauxhall Antaras due to build quality, etc, so am interested in hearing from real drivers. Thanks!

agrinnall

Probably a Mondeo estate, £10K should get you a decent one.

wba31

If reliability is priority I would recommend Honda CRV/Accord and if you can get one for £10k the Civic SW. You will find though that you will get less Honda for your money they if you were to buy Ford/Skoda etc.

The Mondeo Estate is pretty big, also should consider Skoda Superb estate. I've just gone from a Civic (Hatchback) to a Ford S-Max and with the back 2 seats folded down we have a HUGE boot. If I had my choice I would have gone for the Accord tourer, however missus wants a car we could potentially fit 3 child seats across the back should we end up having a few more...

ollysavingmoney

Thanks for the ideas so far. The Skoda Superb is on my favourites list but not many tend to come up for sale in a 70-ish-mile radius from me, so will keep looking.

You're right, quite a few Mondeo estates are around in my price band and seem like they offer a more engaging drive than an Insignia - not that driving thrills are my priority.

I would love a diesel Honda CR-V or Accord Tourer but only a few exist for my budget and they're either far away or have 80,000+ miles on the clock. I know a Honda can take it, but would prefer mileage under 70k if possible. And the Civic Tourer is too new, so too expensive

wba31, is the seating position in your S-Max much higher up than normal cars, as I do like to have an elevated view if poss, so was thinking of a Galaxy, but maybe they're the same seating height anyway?

BeenThroughItAll

Volvo V70, Skoda Superb estate, Mondeo estate. Most 'SUVs' are much smaller inside than a comparably sized estate unless you buy a Range Rover, Land Cruiser or similar. MPVs are fine, but only if you've died inside or have umpteen kids to ferry around

ollysavingmoney

BeenThroughItAll, I know what you mean but quite like the style of the Touran, Zafira Tourer and Altea XL, for example. Two kids and I sometimes carry a lot of boxes and stuff around, so would be handy.

SUVs will be tougher for me to find for my budget, as most tend to be Antara or the old shape of stuff like the Sportage.

worried_jim

Subaru Forrester. Job done.

lazer-zxr

I had the same dilema about 10 months ago, with similar requirements but also needed to tow a caravan.

I did a lot of research, and ended up with a 2013 VW Passat 2.0 TDI estate, 62k miles, for £10999.
I previously had a company car 2011 Passat I did 100k in 5 years.

I've had zero reliability issues in what is now 6 years of heavy use, including towing, and the quality and standard kit of the car is very good ( I went for the Sport edition, with Nav, DAB etc). Regular 60 MPG and drives really well.... and estate boot is huge.

I can heartily recommend.

ollysavingmoney

Thanks, @Lazer-zxr - sounds good. I shall add the Passat to my list...

loskie

Avensis petrol unless you do big miles this may well be better value than a diesel.
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/toyota/avensis-2009/

ollysavingmoney

I went to look at a couple of Avensis estates and the interiors felt really cheap even for 14 and 15-plate cars, but otherwise it might still be a good shout.