+1 to the Xsara. Ugly cars but pretty reliable when cared for and cheap motoring.

Thanks both for the reply.

I've been told by a family member to avoid French cars due to unreliability with the electrics. Does the Picasso not have these problems? Thanks

Just a tired old ignornant stereotype I'm afraid. I've heard it on other makes too.

I'm not saying there aren't problems with cars. But its more likely someone has bought a neglected lemon in the past and their "revenge" is to slate it to all and sundry.

Try a Ford C-Max with the excellent 1.6 Yamaha petrol or 1.8 Mazda petrol. These are tough and good to drive. £1,500 will get a reasonable example if you’re careful.

We had a C-Max after the Mondeo, a good car. Whilst pretty spacious it was not as good as the Mondeo in the back or in the boot. I don't think it will suit the OP because although it has 3 individual rear seats the centre one is not adult sze, with child seats either side it will be very cramped.

Biggest problem you have here is the need for isofix rear seats. Child seats fitted without them are nowhere near as safe. I won’t recommend anything to you without this. The post facelift Picasso does have them but check before buying as some slipped through without for some reason. These are cheap and actually quite tough as long as you avoid the auto or the 1.6 diesel. Electrics can be a pain and most at this money will be well overdue a timing belt. Sills rot badly and battery removal requires the front seat being removed which turns a 15 min job into a battle. I supplied one to a relative 4yrs ago for £3k and aside from the dolls needing welded last year it’s been pretty good. It was a one owner low miler though. Try a Ford C-Max with the excellent 1.6 Yamaha petrol or 1.8 Mazda petrol. These are tough and good to drive. £1,500 will get a reasonable example if you’re careful.

Thank you for the advice :) I don't have isofix with my current car anyway, and I've been advise the group 0 car seats are just as safe if installed correctly. My daughter is in an extended rear facing seat that is very safe and doesn't use isofix so having isofix definitely is not an essential for me. Thanks for the tips of what to look out for if I do get one. I've never had to buy a new car before so I'm feeling a bit out of my depth! Especially now I have the Saftey of 2 children to consider too now, so I really appreciate the help.

I'l look into the Ford c max more. I did have a look around a few weeks ago but they were all out of my price range, but will keep an eye out incase something turns up! Thanks again.

I had been wonderng about timing belts on the picasso. I've read conflicting information about when they need to be done so know I would need to factor in the price of this if I did go for a Picasso as it would likely have to go and have it done straight away.

Just read the other replies re the c max.

The problem is, we want to have the children rear facing until at least 4 years of age due to it being so much safer, which is why we need the middle seat to be a decent size for an adult to fit, as my eldest is too young to go in a high backed booster and we don't really want her in a thinner forward facing seat. The adult wouldn't be in the middle on a daily basis, just once or twice a week, but sometimes for long journeys too, so ideally I'd like it to be comfy for them. So perhaps the c max would be a bit cramped?

I realise I'm really restricted in terms of what I can look for as my budget is so small. I wont bore you all with a long story about why it's such a tight budget, but the budget is stretched as far as I can really. If time was on my side I would maybe be able to spend a bit more in a few months, but my current cars mot is due next month. It needs a few hundred pounds of work doing which isn't worth it for a few reasons. I would need a car with 3 proper seats at the back by August anyway, so that's why I'm looking now on a tighter budget if that sense.So I really so appreciate any suggestions people have, I'm taking them all on board!

Hope the adult who is going to sit between two rear facing child seats is a contortionist, they'll need to be to get in place, unless one of the seats is going in afterw them.

As for car choice, if you don't need the versatilty of a hatchback or estate, then one of the larger Korean or Japanese saloons might provide the most reliable car for your budget, agree with Avensis suggestion, but also check out Kia Magentis and Hyundai Sonata, all large enough saloons (Avensis could be an estate) to have decently wide and roomy rear passenger compartments.

Where the large Korean cars win is older models are unfashionable so tend to be cheap to buy in Britain, also you could venture into 7 seater world quite cheaply with a Kia Carens, which might be more practicle.

Another vote for an Almera Tino. Also consider a Mazda Premacy if you can find one without too much rust. I ran a diesel version for for 7 years. Utterly reliable, frugal and drove and handled better than either the Tino or Picasso.