Need a estate car, help me choose

fatbelly

II had a look on Autotrader and found a good selection of petrol estates at that price. Fords seem well represented (avoid 1.0 ecoboost) and i did spot what looked like a very clean low mileage Hyundai i30.

One that we haven't mentioned. How about an Audi A4?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608195250159

WellKnownSid

Faceless and boring. But at only five years old you should get 30k miles and 2 years worth of main dealer warranty. Yes, I know it runs on electricity, just saying…

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609306518704?sort=relevance&twcs=true&searchId=02fc6abf-5380-4ef2-bbb2-b346a41303af&advertising-location=at_cars&make=MG&multi_model=MG%7EMG5&page=1&postcode=CA38JE&year-to=2026&fromsra=&backLinkQueryParams=channel%3Dcars%26postcode%3DW1D4DP%26make%3DMG%26homeDeliveryAdverts%3Dinclude%26advertising-location%3Dat_cars%26year-to%3D2026%26multi_model%3DMG%7EMG5%26flrfc%3D1&calc-deposit=999&calc-term=48&calc-mileage=10000&calc-selected-product=PCP

redped

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82164076#Comment_82164076

We've got a diesel 2016 Hyundai i30 estate - it's now done almost 70K miles, many of which have been short trips. It has never had any problems, and is one of the most reliable cars we've owned.

LukeB_92

On the diesel question, 10 miles on its own does not automatically rule one out - it depends how those miles are driven. A steady 10 miles where the engine fully warms up is very different from 10 miles of stop-start traffic.

The problems come when almost every journey is short and the car rarely gets a longer run. A DPF needs sustained temperature to regenerate properly, and repeated interrupted regenerations can lead to soot building up, EGR fouling and oil dilution. If you regularly do a 30-40 minute run at higher speeds as well, that risk falls a lot.

Given you prefer simpler, base-spec cars with less to go wrong, petrol or the Toyota / Suzuki hybrid route still looks the cleaner fit for mainly short trips - you are not relying on that occasional longer run to keep the emissions system happy. If you do look at a diesel, check for a full service history, any DPF or EGR work already done, and whether the oil level or service intervals suggest a lot of interrupted regenerations.

plumb1_2

2 i30 near about 20 miles away on autotrader
£9895 54000 mls, petrol Mt69nmk Fsh, 1 owner Hyundai approved car

And £9273 diesel 30,000 mls automatic Rf18zdp, 1 owner

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82164221#Comment_82164221

So, that's a 2019/20 petrol option that covered around 9k miles per year. Check that the "FSH" means fully serviced in accordance with Hyundai recommended maintenance schedule. Being Hyundai approved might count for something.

Alternatively, the 2018 diesel that covered under 4k miles per year. Could already be a contender for DPF / EGR issues.

I would target the petrol one, especially given the OP's potential use profile.

SiliconChip

You haven't said how much you need to load into the car, knowing that might help to establish whether your ideas and other posters' suggestions are really suitable. If you're sure you're in the right size area then the Octavia could well be one of the best options, but if there's a chance you might need more space then perhaps consider the Skoda Superb estate.

Grumpy_chap

I wonder how the OP got on viewing whichever of the two i30's they had their eye on, or viewing both of them?

plumb1_2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82165447#Comment_82165447

Some small step ladders, about 5 stackable box’s, drill and multitool box’s

Octavia should be large enough, because I’ve got a van I tend to put all sorts of stuff in, and just get s left there and may 3 months later might use it. I’ve made 2 floor levels in my van. Put 5x2 timber then ply on top so ladders and long items can go under.

Goudy

Just thought I'd throw a curve ball in the mix.

What about a Dacia Jogger Hybrid. I know used start around the top of your budget but they are so practical.

Unclip and remove seats 6 and 7 and you have a big space. Now fold the middle bench down and you have a massive space. Take the middle seats out and you have something like 2000 litres of space. They're so big in the back there are even Camper kits for them.

The Hybrid system is well proven and I think it drives a little better that Toyota Hybrids.

Parts and servicing is fairly cheap, cheaper than the likes Toyota and VW.

Accessories are almost endless, Racks, blinds, beds, tailgate tents and so on.