Ask Honest John

Honest John Ask Honest John » Buying an affordable second hand rural runabout
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Buying an affordable second hand rural runabout

I need to buy an affordable (probably small) second hand car for the school runs and commute to work.

But I live rurally with lots of muddy, stony and high banked lanes and plenty of soft verges and hidden ditches!

I need a car that is strong enough underneath to withstand all the muck and rough driving conditions, and has a high driving position and can get out of muddy trouble. I don't really want to spend more than £4k. Any suggestions?

Asked on 5 February 2015 by Sam the able reverser

Answered by Honest John
A Hyundai Tucson or an old model KIA cee'd would do the job, but the diesel engines weren't very efficient. Unfortunately, early Nissan Qashqais have held their prices too well to be down to the £4k mark.

Our honest used car pricing is a little bit different to all the others. You can get to our values through make or model - you don’t have to follow a prescribed route. Plus, it’s live, which means we can react to changes in the market quicker than any printed price guide.

Honest Used Car Prices

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....
Similar questions
We require a replacement vehicle after our Ford Fiesta Active was written off. We live in rural North Wales on a small holding and travel 8k miles a year mainly on rural /hilly roads with longer journeys...
I'm very nervous about buying a car as I've been stung a few times. I have moved to a rural area with lots of narrow lanes and deep gullies at the sides. I want to trade in my 2010 Saab convertible (as...
My wife and I live in the countryside and are looking for a car suitable for driving primarily on rural roads. We would both wish to drive the car but our respective hieghts of 6ft3 (me) and 5ft1 (wife)...
Related models
A satisfying drive in diesel manual form. Very well equipped and roomy. Five-year unlimited mileage warranty.
Designed for Europe. Built in Slovakia. Excellent 1.4 and 1.6 petrol and 1.6 diesel engines. Decent quality and handling. Seven year powertrain warranty.