Can you recommend an automatic, family car for under £3,500?

My wife is looking at buying a reliable used car to do the school run, so around 7 miles per day. Our budget is £3,500 and it needs to be an automatic with enough space for the kids, but nothing too big. Originally we were thinking about the Volkswagen Golf MK5, but not sure if that has the problematic DSG gearbox as not clear on ads. For example, does a 2007 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 FSI Match have the DSG gearbox or is it the older automatic gearbox?

Other cars on our list include the Ford Focus or slightly smaller Fiesta, Hyundai i20 or Nissan Note. I know you normally recommend the Honda Jazz post 2011, but that seems to be slightly out of our price range. Your thoughts on the above, or further suggestions would be great.

Asked on 29 December 2016 by Paul

Answered by Honest John
This says that "production of the lightweight dry clutch DSG started in October 2007": www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volkswagen/golf-v-20.../ So an earlier 1.6 D=FSI would still, have the older torque converter auto. Not very good cars though: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volkswagen/golf-v-20.../ 2nd most complained about: www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/new-cars/2016-12/top-10-.../ Focus, Fiesta, i20 and Note in this price bracket all had 4-speed torque converter autos.
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