Vauxhall Agila B (rebadged Suzuki Splash). Auto versions of both are torque convertor.

Not really much jumping out locally on Autotrader i'm afraid, especially in terms of cars smaller than a Fiesta. The previously mentioned Toyota iQ and Mitsubishi i are all a good distance away. Closest Vauxhall Agila is in Cambridge, closest Suzuki Splash is in Workington. There are five Kia Picanto's within 50 miles (of a random L1 poscode). This one at a garage in Stockport looks to be in the nicest condition, but is maybe a bit overpriced despite the mileage,

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190621927...1

There is only one Hyundai i10 within 50 miles. This one is also in Stockport, and is a private sale but looks to be in very fine fettle,

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190522820...1

Also noticed this Suzuki Alto being sold privately. Just outwith the 50 miles (Huddersfield), but possibly worth a look on account of reliability and low running costs,

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190527837...1

If your wife could manage something a bit bigger, there are a few Honda Jazz to be found in your area. Your budget would get you into a '01-'08 model, but that is probably for the best as the first of the next gen cars used an automated manual called the i-shift. Here is a 2008 car in Knutsford,

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190523825...1

As far as i can see, any small Toyota within budget is going to have the multimode automated manual. Even the Mazda 2 at this price is going to be the Ford Fiesta/Fusion based model, and was only available as an auto with the 1.4 which, like the Ford's, were automated manual. The Fiesta and Fusion were also available as 1.6 versions, which use a torque converter auto, so with that in mind, here are a couple of those 1.6 Fords. First, a Fiesta in Newton-Le-Willows,

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190426733...1

And the slightly bigger Fusion, this one is actually in Liverpool,

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190610887...1

Also found a 2009 Vauxhall Corsa 1.4 being sold privetely in Liverpool. This model, i'm pretty sure used a torque converter auto,

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190529844...1

Last offering is a bit obscure, the Perodua Myvi. This was a licence built Daihatsu Sirion sold in the UK for a few years from 2006. Not sure when they dissappeared, but this example is from 2011. It uses a very reliable Daihatsu/Toyota 1.3 and a torque converter auto.

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190605870...1

BTW, meant to say, the nearest Suzuki Swift in budget is in Birmingham.

Edited by badbusdriver on 28/06/2019 at 10:17

Thanks for all the trouble, but can you clarify what's the difference between the several automated gearboxes I've been seeing? I'm a rookie regarding automated, always drove manual shift, the only experience I had driving automatic was a rented Smart a few years ago on holidays.

Cheers

There are dual and single clutch automated manuals, but for the purposes of the small cars, and the budget you will be looking at, they will be single clutch only. What you have is essentially a manual gearbox, but where the gearchange and clutch is dealt with by electronics, to varying degrees of success. When you read owners reviews of cars so equipped, you will find complaints of jerky gearchanges, and you will also find complaints of a delay in between your pressing the throttle and anything happening. Both of these foibles can be driven around to an extent, through experience. The jerky gearchanges by lifting off the throttle slightly on the changes, the delayed throttle response, by learning how much of a delay there is and working that into your behaviour when crossing a busy roundabout or pulling out onto a main road. It is not the be all and end all, but some folk find they just can't adapt to this, so will forever be unhappy with the car. For those types of drivers, by far the best option would be to go for a torque converter auto, or a CVT.

But if you think your wife and/or yourself, would be able to adapt to learn your way round how to get the best out of one, it probably wouldn't be a bad choice. Plus points are that they are fairly reliable, and are generally more economical than a torque converter auto. But be aware that a car not known for being reliable (such as the Fiat 500) is still not going to be reliable with an automated manual.

The cars i have listed are all generally reliable, but care still needs to be taken looking for corrosion as some of these cars are going to be getting on for 15 years old. Also, make use of the ability to check the MOT history of a car online. This is not a definitive statemnet on how good a car will be, but it will give an indication of how well or otherwise a car has been looked after. When looking at the MOT history, look for advisories which keep on cropping up (as opposed to being fixed). Also, when viewing the car, look for mismatched tyres for example, as they should really be changed in pairs.

Our resident ex-motor trader, SLO, will often recommend buying privately at this sort of money. Meeting who owned the car, where they live etc, will also give a good indication of how well the car has been cared for.