Looking to buy a small, used car. Help!

Thurrafork

Hello folks
I'm self employed. Haven't worked since March. Fallen through the cracks of the government support schemes. And now my car is on the brink of dying.
Excellent!

I'm looking for a small used car for no more than £4k. (Ideally no more than 8 - 9 years old, and with no more than 70k on the clock.)
I'll mainly just be nipping around town - which suggests a city car.
But once every week or two I'll be driving a round trip of around 180 miles to visit and help my elderly parents - this makes me think a car in the super mini category might be better than a city car.
I don't know.
I was looking at the 1.2ltr versions of the Kia Picanto or the Hyundai i10. They seem to be quite reasonably priced. Are they any good? Is it expensive to get parts for cars hailing from more distant realms?
What about a Peugeot 208? A Vauxhall Corsa?
I'd prefer an engine of no more than 1.2ltr to help keep the road tax cost lower.
And obviously I'd want maintenance and running costs to be low.

Anyway, I've been researching, but I'm flummoxed!
Any help, recommendations and advice would be hugely appreciated!

Thank you

Clive_Woody

Skoda Fabia, decent to drive, reliable and cheap to run. 

tacpot12

Generally parts for cars built outside of Europe are more expensive, but you should also be wary of premium European brands (Audi, BMW & Mercedes Benz) as these can also have expensive parts. 
You are right to consider the drive to you parents. City cars can be a bit wearing on long journeys and if you are doing one regularly you might prefer a slightly bigger car. A 1.2 engine in a smallish car is fine for longer journeys. 

I would always consider a Skoda Fabia when looking for a small car; the estate is particularly practical if you need to move large amount of "stuff" around in a small car. The Seat Ibiza might be a good compromise. The Kia and Hyundi are usually well built, but are not always looked after well as they are cheap to buy. Check the service history to be sure it has been cared for. Look for good brand matching tyres all round. 

angrycrow

Another vote for one of the Vag small cars. Skoda fabia, is the plain no frills one tend to be softer set suspension and no frills interior. Polo tends to be set up for everyday comfort. The Seat Ibiza tends to be the sportier feeling one and gets my vote everytime.

Look at them all and pick the one in budget / that you like the best. My Ibiza is pushing on to 11 years old and has been one of the most reliable cars I have owned. 

Goudy

It must be tough for you right now and I'm sure every penny will count, so I would suggest a Corsa.

Steer clear of the 1.3 diesel, it's a troublesome Fiat engine and perhaps the under powered 1.0 petrol and stick with the 1.2 petrol with around 85hp, your choice will still be pretty much endless, colour, trim, mileages etc, there are thousands out there for sale.

Service items will be dirt cheap and you'll never be short of used spare part at a knockdown price and insurance will be cheap.

A quick two minute search throws up plenty that could be had in your budget.

Might have a look at this one myself.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2014-64-Vauxhall-Corsa-1-2i-16v-85ps-a-c-SE-ONLY-16465-MILES-FFVSH-1-PRE-OWNER/124103652887?hash=item1ce5277617:g:vUwAAOSw0xxcnPvR

RBN20

angrycrow said:

Another vote for one of the Vag small cars. Skoda fabia, is the plain no frills one tend to be softer set suspension and no frills interior. Polo tends to be set up for everyday comfort. The Seat Ibiza tends to be the sportier feeling one and gets my vote everytime.

Look at them all and pick the one in budget / that you like the best. My Ibiza is pushing on to 11 years old and has been one of the most reliable cars I have owned. 

I would agree with this, one of the small VAG group cars such as Skoda, seat or VW. Reliable, comfortable, made well. 

Personally I would avoid Vauxhall as they aren’t made as well and insurance can be high on Corsa’s in particular, but it is all down to personal preference. 

Grumpy_chap

A Fiesta would be a good choice - massive selection to pick from so you should be able to find a good one.
If you like the Kia / Hyundai stables, then perhaps a Rio or i20?

mksysb

Another vole for the SEAT Ibiza.  Very nice cars.

Paula_Smith

Hyundai i10

Gsaver1

The Seat Ibiza or Skoda Fabia would be the ones I would go for. Copa or Elegance model if looking for extra in the trim element. Estate versions of these cars are nice. Ibiza FR estate was what I was wanting but couldn't find one.

AdrianC

tacpot12 said:

Generally parts for cars built outside of Europe are more expensive

There is just about zero correlation between where a car is built and the perceived nationality of the badge.

For example, many smaller Vauxhalls are Korean-built, while many Kias and Hyundais are Slovak-built.