A V50 is basically a Ford Focus, so why not consider a Focus?

Why are you so interested in imports? It seems to have become fashionable again, but I don't understand why.

Rust i suspect, had the present Prado sized Landcruiser not called to me from t'internet my plan was to import one of similar age/design purely because it would almost certainly be rust free, a clean slate to start with to apply the treatments of your choice to.

Secondly VED issues, especially if going for high band vehicles regd after March 2006, this applies especially to turbocharged Subarus.

Thirdly, Japanese owners apear to take better care of their vehicles than the typical equivalent car here.

Fourthly, some interesting and well proven engine choices carried over from previous models but not found in UK versions, ie you could have the 120 series Prado with the completely bomb proof 3.4 V6 petrol from the previous 90 series, similarly Hilux's with different engines to the basic fare sold here.

As for the OP's car question, isn't Auris estate the answer.

Edited by gordonbennet on 23/06/2023 at 13:57

In any case, a Toyota Auris is probably best suited to what you are looking for. Sadly, plush interiors and reliability seem rarely available in the same package. Of it doesn't absolutely have to be an estate, maybe consider a Lexus.

Yes. It's focus underneath but i have sat in 2012 focus and a 2012 V50. It's completely a different experience, the quality of the cabin, the sound system etc.

My budget does not allow me to go for a new or nearly new vehicle and the above japan import vehicles I have seen are as spotless and clean as new. Even the rear seat looks like nobody has used them ever. Another point is most of the 10+ years old vehicle in UK are Diesel engine. I found one or two passat, almost same price, probably 5 to 10% higher but high mileage and not very clean inside and out. In fact I thought about a superb estate but all you can fimd s Deisel, same goes for V70. I considered V60 as well, in my budget there are some clean v60, little high mileage but dealer maintained, unfortunately only Diesel.

Thanks. That's a good option i didn't explore earlier. I will look into it.

Even in todays crazy market, a £12k budget should be able to do a lot better than a 12-14 year old car.

Even with good maintenance you're at the point where something serious could go wrong and properly at the point where the not quite consumables (suspension components etc.) start to fail.

£12k should get you into an average miles 2018 Astra, Focus or Golf, or if you want something "premium" a slightly high miles 2016 3 series or A4.

When I say reliability that doesn't mean it should be as good as new. Reliability means mainly engine and transmission and some other big components which need big money to repair. A reliable car with good continous maintenance should easily last min 200k miles. I completely understand an 8 to 10 year old car needs some mandatory repairs e.g, cam belt, water pump, shocks etc and may require changing all the oils. I am prepared to do all that.

My wife currently own a skoda fabia 2009, almost 100k on the clock. We bought it around 3 years back with 60k mileage. Last month it required new shocks, break pads anf tyres, other than no expense. I see this car is reliable as of now unless DSG start giving the problem.

I have spent a good amount of years in middle East due to my job and owned a LX470 (LC 100 series) 2004. With good maintenance, 250k miles on the clock and it is still going strong. And on the other hand a Jeep Wrangler 2008 with the same care used to visit garage every now and then and finally i sold it. I have an assumption that Volvos are very reliable if you take good care of them that why probably I am looking Volvos.

Where are you finding these Japanese import Volvo’s etc. other than specialist Jap performance, quirky k car and MPV models I don’t recall seeing any ex Japan market Volvos being up for sale here. It wouldn’t make any economic sense to import one from the other side of the globe. Surely there can’t be anyone doing business in importing European cars from Japan? If there is could you post links please?

"thecarwarehouse.co.uk" is one anyway, I have wasted quite a lot of time sifting through their stock since I discovered this place!.

Sorry I could not understand correctly. You mean to say a salvage car exporter from UK to Japan and the same vehicle imported back to UK?