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Buying used diesel estate/hatch that will not depreciate with high personal miles

I am looking for a used small estate car or square ended hatchback which has good mpg which will not depreciate massively. I will drive the car 110 miles a day for my work commute so it need to be economical, 53mpg+. It needs to look business like and have ok/good internal spec. I am less interested in 0-60 speed. but it will need to be able to overtake effectively on country lanes if required. [I drive from Skipton to York.]

The reason why I am looking for an small estate or square ended hatchback is that I have 2 medium sized dogs and a 1 year old child which all once a month travel across the country or down to London to see family. I can probably get away with a hatchback with roofbox for these trips.

I have a max budget of £11,000 but would ideally want to spend no more than £9,000 as I am worried about depreciation.

I don't really want to spend £11k on a used car if 2/3 years down the line when I may look to change it has depreciated massively with my mileage. But I need a car that has some respectability in the work car park!

Asked on 15 May 2011 by 1qazxsw2

Answered by Honest John
The only car that will not depreciate massively being driven 110 miles a day is one that has already depreciated. Thus a 10 year old. A roof box is totally nuts because it will increase fuel consumed by about 10mpg. You might get a KIA cee'd 1.6 diesel SW or a Hyundai i30 1.6 diesel SW for your £9,000 - £11,000. They at least have chain cam engines so you don't have to spend £500 replacing the timing belt every 40,000 miles. And beware the vulnerability of diesel particulate filters (£500 - £1,000) and dual mass flywheels (£800 - £1,500).



Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
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