Thanks. A MK3 Focus is an unlikely option.

Thanks. It's an up to budget, so if a Focus MK2/C-Max auto is reliable he'd consider one, saving himself some money too.

Good luck in the search! I say that as I have been similarly trying to help a friend find an automatic in a similar price range; actually she had to increase her budget from the original. This has been going on for months!

Many of SLO's suggestions were similar to what we have considered, but most had to be eliminated after looking at the MoT history/advisories for things like rust on brake pipes or subframe (KIA/Hyundai), etc.

The problem is that after eliminating the DSG/PowerShift/Multimode/iShift/Dualogic type transmissions, for the years that the budget allows, there seems to be so little to choose from. Considering the numbers of Ford Focus sold, compared to Astra I'm surprised there aren't more on the market, unless they have all rusted to bits. Most of the Astra and Meriva autos are the FIAT powered diesel.

We found a low mileage Hyundai which we test drove and was good and put a deposit on, but the vendor was 'waiting for the V5', and later wanted us to register the car using a different form which I advised not to; and so that was a waste of time esp as the vendor was 45 miles away.

Nissan Note with low mileage/decent MoT history pops up from time to time; I know that can suffer from underbody rust too, but otherwise are these ok?

Quite a few decent cheap MG3s around, but frightened off by reports of stretched timing chains?

Are the low mileage pre dual clutch Renaults best avoided? I wouldn't normally have recommended them anyway, but....

Do you think the Astra 2010-16 sports tourer petrol auto is also a good budget vehicle with little to go wrong?

I suspect the vendor wanted to register the car using a V62. This is the normal process if V5 not present.

If it was a trader I suspect the car came in with no V5 (you'd be amazed how many do) and they didn't want to register it in their name to avoid putting another short term owner ion it.

Most of the Astra and Meriva autos are the FIAT powered diesel.

Looking on Autotrader (up to £7k), there are indeed more diesel auto Meriva's, but there are actually quite a lot more petrol auto Astra's than diesel (177 vs 68). And just clarify, the 1.7 diesel is an Isuzu engine and much more reliable than the Fiat units.

Nissan Note with low mileage/decent MoT history pops up from time to time; I know that can suffer from underbody rust too, but otherwise are these ok?

1st gen Nissan Note auto (n/a 1.6, torque converter auto) is a cracking car, roomy, reliable and usually well equipped. 2nd gen auto (the manual with n/a 1.2 is fine) is a different kettle of fish, it used a CVT coupled to a supercharged 1.2 petrol. Both engine and (especially) transmission here are not known for reliability.

Quite a few decent cheap MG3s around, but frightened off by reports of stretched timing chains?

You don't get automatic MG3's, but otherwise I wouldn't mind a new one as there are often some pretty keen deals (you do need to accept that they are completely outclassed by most other 'superminis'). Not sure I'd be keen on 2nd hand though (especially outwith warranty), because of these timing chain issues.

Are the low mileage pre dual clutch Renaults best avoided? I wouldn't normally have recommended them anyway, but....

When buying a cheaper car, condition is possibly the most important factor, not necessarily the make or model. The Renault's in question will have a n/a 1.6 petrol and a t/c auto, so fairly simple mechanically. If you see a nice, obviously well looked after example with few previous owners, it shouldn't be too much of a risk. Plenty of forum members have experience of reliable Renaults, so it isn't that uncommon!.

A couple of other suggestions, first (assuming you don't need a big boot), the 2nd gen Vauxhall Agila/Suzuki Splash (they are the same car). Surprisingly spacious cabin for its size due to being tall, but endlessly reliable. Second is an often overlooked Ford, the Fusion. This was a taller and boxier Fiesta with more interior and boot space (similar type of car to the Nissan Note). The 1.6 auto is very simple and robust.

Edited by badbusdriver on 28/11/2021 at 10:25

He's viewing a few cars today. Would a MK2 automatic Jazz or KIA Venga be good?

I know it's nowhere near Plymouth, and I know the saloon version of the 1st gen Focus looks a bit ungainly, but I`m drawn to this one owner(!) 2003 2.0 Ghia auto in Rochdale!. Seems OK for the price, though I have not looked at the MOT history.

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Thanks Andy, it will be the village indie. I don't see the Mazda having any advantage over a Focus.

Jazz and Venga are regarded as being too small. An Auris could be a possibility.