Second hand car advice

bextas

I need to get a car but only have £1500 to spend. This car is just to keep me going for around a year (I travel 20 miles each way to work). I have been told to stick to Japanese cars (had Honda jazz before and never let me down but I'm conscious at that price it will have high mileage or more likely for things to go wrong). My current car is worth £1500 but needs about £2500 spending on it so just not worth it and I have lost all faith in the car with it continually braking down.

FlorayG

At that price you take pot luck. I've always bought in that range, some have been brilliant ( one I paid £850 for lasted me 4 years and passed MOT just before I sold it) and others have been...er...poor ( I had one start to actually fall apart after a few months, it was accident repaired by a numpty).
Try to get something with a service history so at least you know it has been looked after. I always buy private because you get better value, but if you have a decent local garage where you know the guys they will look out for something for you

Mark_d

I think you could get a 15 year old Toyota Yaris/Auris with under 100k miles on the clock.  Very reliable and good value

Goudy

Your situation sounds like out of the frying pan, into the fire but I would try and go with something well known, as in lots available, cheap parts and everyone knows how to fix them with a screwdriver and tape, like perhaps a Corsa.
Or
Stick with your Japanese plan and try and route out a decent Toyota Yaris or Mazda 2.

Steer clear of any potential headaches like auto/semi auto gearboxes and check any car out for any sign of rust at this age, if it's there you'll find it underneath.

Arunmor

These are the sort of vars you want to buy via word of mouth eg someone giving up driving, granny popping her clogs etc.  Just keep asking around.

Martin_the_Unjust

Buy a car with a years mot for less than £500, get your trusted garage to give it a full service and buy breakdown cover. Put the rest in a bank account to cover any unforeseen repairs.

Thats as close as you can get to worry free motoring on your budget.