I will be averaging about 20,000 miles an year in the foreseeable future commuting to work on the M40(70 miles round trip). Preferably need an automatic as left knee is dodgy post surgery.

Current car is a 54 plate Honda Jazz, which is fine apart from being noisy and unrefined on the motorway and a manual.

My priorities are bullet proof reliability, low running costs (given the high mileage) and comfort on the motorway.

Have a budget of up to £15,000 and intend to buy a 2-3 year old second hand car. Either a good sized hatchback or saloon would be fine. Diesel would obviously be preferable, but an economic petrol or hybrid would be fine as well.

Any suggestions from the panel? All advice gratefully received.