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Sat 25 May 2019 04:36

Any Saloon or Hatchback - Used Car Advice - Best Reliable Car (30K/Year) - Shano

Hi All,

I'm looking to buy a second hand car for commuting circa 30k a year.

Do you guys have any advice on what type of car I should be buying?

My budget is £10K and is like the car to last at least 5 years. Can anyone suggest any reliable cars and specifically what engine/trim would provide a good MPG?

I was initially considering either a VW Golf 2.0 TDI (2014) or a BMW 320d. However, browsing this site I've read Japanese cars are definitely more reliable.

My last 2 cars have been leases (VW Golf then a BMW X1 M sport x25d) but given my increased mileage I can't afford a lease right now.

Any advice?

Thanks,

Shano

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Sat 25 May 2019 08:02

Any Saloon or Hatchback - Used Car Advice - Best Reliable Car (30K/Year) - Oli rag

For reliability along side good economy, a Honda civic 1.6 diesel would be hard to beat. Your mileage really warrants running a diesel and the honda engine doesn't seem to be affected by the dreaded dpf problems that cause such problems with other makes.

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Sat 25 May 2019 08:04

Any Saloon or Hatchback - Used Car Advice - Best Reliable Car (30K/Year) - badbusdriver

Japanese cars definately being more reliable is more a n/a petrol thing. And as a general rule, if someone comes on the forum asking about a used car, they'd be pointed in the direction of one of those. But with your mileage, diesel is the way to go, and while a Japanese car is what i am about to mention, that is more to do with it being one of the few modern diesels not to suffer from problems. having said that, most of the issues modern diesels suffer from are relating to being used for short, stop start urban journeys, which don't really do them any favours.

Were it my money, i'd be going for a Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC due to its combination of space, reliability, comfort and economy. £10k will get you into a 2015/2016 car, and ideally you want a SE spec or above (the S is the base model and does without cruise control and one or two other toys). Here is a low mileage example (from a Honda dealer) on autotrader to have a look at,

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190216498...2

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Sat 25 May 2019 10:14

Any Saloon or Hatchback - Used Car Advice - Best Reliable Car (30K/Year) - Shano

Hi Both,

Thanks for the advice - the car looks very nice and very good mileage at this price point. I did however forget to mention I prefer an automatic car - there seems to limited choice for this model.

Can you advise on another car which is similar but is an automatic?

Thanks for you help!

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Sat 25 May 2019 10:54

Any Saloon or Hatchback - Used Car Advice - Best Reliable Car (30K/Year) - Alby Back

Tricky one that. If you're planning to do 30k a year for 5 years that's adding 150,000 miles to whatever is already on whatever you buy.

I too tend to keep my cars to big mileages, all I would add is don't skimp on servicing and maintenance and most cars will do it if driven with some mechanical sympathy.

For what it's worth, and I accept that it's a straw poll of one, the Fords and the Mercs seem to take the miles better than most in my case.

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Sat 25 May 2019 11:23

Any Saloon or Hatchback - Used Car Advice - Best Reliable Car (30K/Year) - SLO76

“Can you advise on another car which is similar but is an automatic?”

Not if you want diesel economy. Honda don’t do a diesel auto Civic and although the 1.8 petrol is an excellent small family auto it’s not going to brilliant on fuel.

VW uses the notoriously unreliable DSG gearbox on their offerings and I can’t recommend a diesel auto Golf, Leon or Octavia with one fitted. You’d be buying something that could expire at any moment leaving you with a £6k plus bill for a new gearbox.

The Toyota Auris Hybrid is an auto and has an excellent reputation for reliability however and is very popular with the taxi trade of late. It’s not as good on fuel on longer runs at motorway speeds but around cities and towns it’s excellent and there’s none of the usual diesel weaknesses such as DPF, EGR, malfunctioning injectors and knackered turbos to worry about. It’s pretty much vice free if a bit unexciting to drive and look at.

Personally though I’d have a Civic 1.6 DTEC and live without an automatic box to get that excellent engine and genuine 70mpg economy.

Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190501750...7

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Sat 25 May 2019 14:31

Any Saloon or Hatchback - Used Car Advice - Best Reliable Car (30K/Year) - Westk

I agree on this one.

The 1.6 Idtec engine really is excellent.

Ive had mine only a few weeks and have already taken it to Dunkirk for a load of wine and up to Belgium for beer. Loads of space and the torque means a heavy load is barely noticible.

Cruises very happily on the auroroute at high speed.

Gearbox is excellent so no auto is not a problem.

My one gripe and its minor is minor chipping on front low slung bumper and bonnet but for once i dont mind as the cars great. Ill live with a bumper respray every now and again

Edited by Westk on 25/05/2019 at 14:31

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Sun 26 May 2019 01:17

Any Saloon or Hatchback - Used Car Advice - Best Reliable Car (30K/Year) - Electric Leaper

If an automatic is definitely what you want, then consider the Infiniti Q50 2.2d Auto that can be had from £10k. A bit of a left field choice, but it uses a Mercedes Diesel engine and I believe quite a bit of its switchgear too, so should be good to take the mileage. These models are generally very well equipped, which is good given how long you’ll be spending in the car.

Infiniti are pulling out of the UK market, but any competent Mercedes specialist will be familiar with the engine when it comes to maintenance.

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Sat 25 May 2019 11:05

Any Saloon or Hatchback - Used Car Advice - Best Reliable Car (30K/Year) - Westk

Ive recently bought a civic 1.6 idtec sport 2016 and absolutely love it.

Feels very high quality, its plenty fast enough,has serious torque, cruises easily at high speed and im averaging 63mpg

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Sat 25 May 2019 13:10

Any Saloon or Hatchback - Used Car Advice - Best Reliable Car (30K/Year) - Oli rag

A Hyundai i30 might be a good choice as you can get a diesel auto. There’s also the 5 year warranty, which with your high mileage would be a boon. Kia ceed is similar and has a 7 year warranty, but is restricted on mileages compared to hyundai’s.

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Sat 25 May 2019 13:38

Any Saloon or Hatchback - Used Car Advice - Best Reliable Car (30K/Year) - SLO76

A Hyundai i30 might be a good choice as you can get a diesel auto. There’s also the 5 year warranty, which with your high mileage would be a boon. Kia ceed is similar and has a 7 year warranty, but is restricted on mileages compared to hyundai’s.

I didn’t mention the Kia Ceed or Hyundai i30 as both use an automated manual box at this age and these don’t have a great reputation for longevity no matter who built them. That said they’re probably better than anything similar on the market to date for reliability. Otherwise good wee cars but they tend to be viewed as disposable when they get past 7yrs old and sell purely on price while a Civic will fetch decent money even with six figures on the clock. A late model i30 with full HYUNDAI history and thus the remainder of its 5yr unlimited mileage warranty might be worthy but it’s not what I’d buy with a 30k p/a commute in mind. I wouldn’t want anything with a complex automated manual box, it’s unlikely to last.

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Sat 25 May 2019 17:36

Any Saloon or Hatchback - Used Car Advice - Best Reliable Car (30K/Year) - badbusdriver

A Hyundai i30 might be a good choice as you can get a diesel auto. There’s also the 5 year warranty, which with your high mileage would be a boon. Kia ceed is similar and has a 7 year warranty, but is restricted on mileages compared to hyundai’s.

I didn’t mention the Kia Ceed or Hyundai i30 as both use an automated manual box at this age and these don’t have a great reputation for longevity no matter who built them. That said they’re probably better than anything similar on the market to date for reliability. Otherwise good wee cars but they tend to be viewed as disposable when they get past 7yrs old and sell purely on price while a Civic will fetch decent money even with six figures on the clock. A late model i30 with full HYUNDAI history and thus the remainder of its 5yr unlimited mileage warranty might be worthy but it’s not what I’d buy with a 30k p/a commute in mind. I wouldn’t want anything with a complex automated manual box, it’s unlikely to last.

According to the 'model history' section of the review on this website, the Kia Cee'd recieved the DCT gearbox (over the T/C auto) in Sept '16, so if it is a concern, just make sure you get one made before that.

Having said that, your mileage suggests lots of time spent pounding the motorways, and that kind of useage would put minimal stress on the gearbox, not to mention the fact that it will be more efficient than the T/C auto. Also, with Kia's 7 year warranty, the 2016 example you could get for £10k will still have 4 years warranty remaining, just make sure it has a full Kia history. Here is a DCT from a Kia dealer on Autotrader,

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190502754...1

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Sun 26 May 2019 05:15

Any Saloon or Hatchback - Used Car Advice - Best Reliable Car (30K/Year) - Shano

Hi mate.

Thanks for your feedback (and to everyone else). Just a quick question on the Civic you have - does it come with Android Auto or is that only the 2017 model?

I can't seem to see these on any ad.

Also what trim is best value for money? I know it's Se Plus --> Sport --> SR --> Ex Plus

SR example - has leather seats which is nice

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190520815...3

Do you think this is a good one to try out? I kind of like the luxury of leather and the alloy wheels but is it worth the extra £1K it costs?

I think I've decided on the Honda Civic 1.6 diesel...just need help deciding which car/trim to get.

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Sun 26 May 2019 12:31

Any Saloon or Hatchback - Used Car Advice - Best Reliable Car (30K/Year) - Westk

The one on your link is a decent deal as it's got a full Honda history and it's a good spec.

I have the sport spec really just 17 inch black alloys and a couple other cosmetic changes. Suspension same as standard and ride very good.

I'm 6ft 2 and the version with glass roof was a bit tight headrooom wise but without this there's was plenty headroom.

The infotainment has all you need but it's not the best as my Samsung galaxy isn't compatible with the systems mirror link or android auto.

I bought the car from a decent independent not a main dealer but there's nothing really to watch for on these so was happy doing so.

Took it to main dealer for service which cost £275 for the 3rd year with no extra costs or repair.

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Sun 26 May 2019 00:33

Any Saloon or Hatchback - Used Car Advice - Best Reliable Car (30K/Year) - Big John

If I was doing that sort of mileage (I do about half that) and wanted an auto then I would avoid any complex automated manuals (dual clutch, DSG etc... ) and also TC autos( too thirsty).

Myself I'd get a Toyota hybrid (the best value being the Toyota Auris) as the hybrid oil bits are amazingly simple (the eCVT is really just and electronically controlled transaxle with two motors/generator with an engine at one end). The brakes have an easier life as well as much of the slowing down will be done by regenerative braking.

These are Marmite cars - some love them , some hate them. If you are a flat out driver then it's not for you - if a laid back driver then they are great. I have three friends with Toyota Hybrids of different ages (one is a 2007) and they love them. One has an Auris and he does a loooong commute and gets 60+mpg and has seen over 80mpg one one rather gentle long run. Another with the 2007 Prius would be horrified if they got less than 60mpg.

With any car one thing to keep an eye on is tyres - don't buy anything that has ultra low profile tyres that only last about 10,000 miles and cost £1,000 a set (I made this mistake - ONCE!). In your case that would be an additional £3k a year! My current Superb barge has 205/55 r16 where the original tyres lasted about 35k miles and tyres (now Michelin Crossclimate) cost just over £300 a set.

Edited by Big John on 26/05/2019 at 00:38

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Sun 26 May 2019 12:12

Any Saloon or Hatchback - Used Car Advice - Best Reliable Car (30K/Year) - badbusdriver

what trim is best value for money? I know it's Se Plus --> Sport --> SR --> Ex Plus

SR example - has leather seats which is nice

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190520815...3

Do you think this is a good one to try out? I kind of like the luxury of leather and the alloy wheels but is it worth the extra £1K it costs?

I think I've decided on the Honda Civic 1.6 diesel...just need help deciding which car/trim to get.

Not sure anyone other than you can decide that. You said £10k, but if you want leather that badly and can afford the extra grand, then go for it. Personally, i'm not that keen on leather in a car, so i'd actually try to avoid it.The only thing i'd be concerned about is whether or not the SR, beung (presumably) a 'sporty' spec, has stiffer suspension than the others. Given the amount of miles you do, were it me, comfort would be the primary concern. SE or SE Plus is the trim levels i'd be looking at as they have everything i'd want, but as i said, i'm not a fan of leather seats. Upping the budget to £11k would get you into a 2017 SE Plus, such as this example with less than 12k miles at Car Giant,

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190525832...1

As for the Android Auto, being a luddite i have no idea what that even is!. I can tell you that on our 2017 Jazz EX, my wife can hook up her iphone wirelessly to the car to play music off it, and my sons can do the same with their Android phones. If that sounds like what you are on about, i'd imagine the Civic would have the same.

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Sun 26 May 2019 21:58

Any Saloon or Hatchback - Used Car Advice - Best Reliable Car (30K/Year) - Shano

Hey.

Yes so I'm going to test drive that one tomorrow - bizarrely Car Giant are open on Bank Holidays. I hope I can haggle the admin fee away though.

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Mon 27 May 2019 12:30

Any Saloon or Hatchback - Used Car Advice - Best Reliable Car (30K/Year) - Glaikit Wee Scunner {P}

I hope it suits you. I've only ever taken 2 cars beyond 140,000 miles and they were both VW group diesels. For that kind of mileage you'll also need to think about regular oil changes and services to ensure reliability.

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