Nearly new and cheap to run car

Myself and my partner currently both own Skoda Fabias. Mine is a 56 1.4 Petrol 16v and hers is a 57 1.3 Diesel (both high spec) but neither really do a lot of mileage and we could easily survive with one car.

I currently do a 6 mile trip through a city centre back and forth to work while the 2nd car is mainly used on weekends or long drives to visit family (a 1.5-2 hour drive) and rarely used during the week.

We are considering getting rid of one car (probably the less economical petrol) or getting rid of both and buying one nearly new car that is very cheap to run with enough change to spend on home improvements. Can you recommend a (preferably diesel) mid-sized car that would suit urban drives but be cheap to tax etc?

Asked on 29 October 2011 by Gareth Evans

Answered by Honest John
To avoid DPF problems you have to buy an EU4 car that does not have a DPF. I'd go for a Toyota Yaris 1.4 D-4D, because that engine is also chain cam and avoids the £500 4 yearly timing belt change of a VAG car.
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