Yes, we've also started to look at an alternative like the one you mentioned as well as Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost(which I guess isn't a good engine?)

We are trying to avoid PSA 1.2 petrol engine.

Oh, and yes, I'd avoid both Ecoboost and Puretech at the age you are looking at.

Fiesta 1.25 would be absolutely fine in terms of reliability, though obviously down on performance next to a turbo alternative. 59 and 82bhp versions available though, so make sure and avoid the former!

Also look at the Toyota Yaris, Mazda 2 and Suzuki Swift. With petrol engine and manual box, all very reliable. Honda Jazz too, though a young chap may not be very keen (may also apply to a Yaris!)

The Fiesta 1.25 petrol was a decent engine on the mid-late 90s Fiesta, because that car was a light vehicle and the engine hadn't been remapped to reduce its CO2 output for VED reasons. My dad owned one (75hp version) and it was quite nippy - 0-60 in about 11.5 sec.

His next one, the next Fiesta (run-out 08 plate car - quite a bit heavier than the previous one [more safety features]) appeared to have the same engine (82hp version), but the remapping bumped the 0-60 time up by about 2 sec and he reported that it wasn't anywhere near as good to drive performance-wise. Reliable enough though.

The versions after that are bigger and heavier still, and general improvements to the engine appeared to offset the extra weight, so the performance was unchanged from looking at the HJ data.

We've got a quote insuring my son for C4 Picasso. I didn't add him to our existing insurance but a separate one via Marmalade. The price is actually good and less than I thought and doable.

www.wearemarmalade.co.uk/named-young-driver-insura...e

Our car is over 10 year old and 115,000 miles so it's probably worth just over £2k. I don't mind him driving it and I can live with it even if he destroy it. (Hope not happen but...)

The issue is C4 Picasso 1.6 HDI isn't attractive to 18 year old. In fact, it may help him drive less because of that....

If the Picasso isn't attractive, I'm sure he's welcome to buy and insure his own car.

The issue is C4 Picasso 1.6 HDI isn't attractive to 18 year old. In fact, it may help him drive less because of that....

Yes, sure, but freedom and a set of wheels all the same, and surely better than walking. Also, if him and his mates want to go somewhere, five up in the Picasso is going to be much more pleasant than in a typical supermini!.

I don't trust Vauxhall Corsa for reliability.....

As long as you stick to the n/a 1.2 and 1.4 petrol, not really anything to fear reliability wise in the Corsa. But, the same issue as the Fiesta of being very common. Also, as has been mentioned, Fiesta's and Corsa's are probably going to be dearer to insure for the very reason that so many young drivers choose them as a first car.

He quite likes Mazda 2 but haven't seen many for sale.

What about one of these internet sellers like Cazoo?.

Honda Jazz can't get connect to Apple Car Play / Android phone, I like it otherwise.

If it is just to play music from his/your phone, you can buy things to connect your phone to the car hifi via bluetooth. Get them from Amazon or Ebay for not much money, certainly less then £20.

Although I like Swift, but it's little too small to carry my bike.

I realise the Swift is on the compact side of the supermini spectrum, but surely your bike will have to be carried on a rack whichever you go for (with the possible exception of the Jazz)?. As for inside, I've sat in the back of a Swift and found it absolutely fine. Helped by being tallish for a supermini and having a deep well under the back of the front seats for rear passengers feet.

When did they change the TSI engine to a wet belt or did they? I have a (very) late Mk3 Monte Carlo Fabia thats done nearly 40,000 miles with no issues, apart from the commo rusty rear brake disks, I've been informed by the dealer this needs to be replaced at 5 years regardless of milage

When our Fabia went in for its 5 year service in late April 2023 the dealer phoned and said that the cam belt was due, did I want the job doing. I said that since the miles were low and we intended swapping within the next 12 months I would take a punt at it being fine.

Then in early July 2023 VAG issued the the new directive changing the interval to either 15 years or 180,000 but one engine (no idea which one) had its interval changed to 140,000 miles.

If we had responded to the dealers kind offer to replace the belt we would not have been entitled to any refund but owners who had the belt replaced after 04 July 2023 on the dealers guidance were entitled to a goodwill refund.

For the record VAG have never used a wet belt in any TSi engine.

And another fact, when we bought our first TSi (the 1.4 Leon) in June 2013 whilst VAG were stating that the Conti Belt was designed for the life of the car our Seat dealer was still insisting that it was a 3 year or 30,000 mile interval. Contacted Seat who confirmed that whilst there was no official fixed interval they were recommending that dealers inspected the belt annually after 6 years or 60,000 miles and changing the belt after 120,000 miles regardless of condition.