Thanks for the feedback, it's certainly helped me narrow a couple of things down. I'll make a point of checking out an Optima Sporswagon in person.

One thing that bothers me - I used HJ as a guide last time for a "real" MPG and it served me well. To make my figures work, I really need 50mpg or better. HJ is currently quoting 46.0 vs. an official figure of 64.2. At risk of sounding like an idiot, how much notice should I take of the official figures (and, I suppose HJ's real mpg figures)?

Thank you!

With most modern cars, though by all means not every one (as HJ's Real MPG section shows) their 'official mpg' figures should not be believed, so always go, in the first instance, with HJ's real MPG ones.

As Steve says, there are still quite significant variations in the range on that pages for each model, which is due to both driving style and pattern - so many people buy the wrong car - a diesel for short, urban journeys, a gas-guzzling petrol or hybrid for high-mileage motorway driving, so you can reasonably judge what to expect based on this.

The reduction is generally far higher for diesels and especially hybrids, because the now discredited EU tests are highly weighted towards those engine types with how they are tested. When the new WLTP-certificated cars start appearing on the market next month, you'll notice their mpgs (especially plug-in hybrids) will be a lot lower than outgoing models because they (and this test, I think, will be tightened up even more in the next few years) reflect a much more real-world driving experience.

I'd concentrate on looking at models that are:

• Known for their comfort and especially longer term reliability, especially where parts like the DPF are concerned. Spend more on engineering quality rather than styling, equipment and outright performance. Handling just needs to be reasonable as a minimum. Make sure that the seat and driving position/general ergonomic are exactly what you want - you're going to be in that car a LOT - a long (preferably on various road types and more than one test) road test is in order. I've rejected cars before JUST BECAUSE they don't have a left foot rest - I personally must have one (not everyone does, but having one may make more of a difference on your longer journeys);
• Are makes with a long, high mileage warranty, e.g. Kia, Hyundai, a few others and who actually honour them;
• The car has a decent A/C system. I'd go for one with climate control (multi-zone systems are a con [pardon the pun] - I design building A/C systems and you can't expect different temperatures in such a small space, especially as they are aren't sectioned off) as you'll appreciate not having to keep fiddling on the go as the external conditions change;
• The boot is large and accessible enough, similarly room in the back. You'd be surprised (as I've mentioned in anyoner thread) at how often people forget simple things like this, especially if you have/are planning on having soon a family or regularly carry decent sized loads or passengers.

To be honest, you've already 'made your proverbial bed' by accepting a job so far away before looking at the economics of travelling there - I realise that sometimes people (including myself) have to do such things from time to time, and as such, accepting, for a time at least, spending more on fuel may be a decent price to pay in order to get a more reliable, comfortable, less fashionable car that will cost less over its lifetime, until you can afford something 'nicer', or even more home to somewhere the is more accessible which doesn't compromise/affect the rest of your family in similar ways.

I wouldn't be too worried about mpg being X or Y, even if that comes in slightly under an arbitrary figure - unless you can change to another job nearer to home, there's relativaly little you can do in the short term. Whatever car you choose will likely not be worth much when you get rid of it due to its high mileage, so I'd stick to getting the bar minimum spec you need and concentrating on getting a well-engineered car with a good warranty.

The Hyundai i30/i40 Tourer and KIA Ceed/Optima equivalents in diesel form are well worth a look, from a main dealer - and I would prefer to go for ones that have done over 10k miles pa as there's less chance of DPF issues for a higher mileage car. This would also reduce the price a bit, and as long as its been serviced correctly and on time (or per mileage, whichever comes first), then that should be no proble. I'd avoid low mileage examples for their age as they could easily have been shopping cars and thus a DPF problem might appear in the not-too-distant future.

A low mileage example may have (like mine) been used sparingly but for longer trips (better), but unless you personally know the pervious owner(s) or can get a written guarantee from the dealer/manufacturer saying any DPF (or other) problems related to life doing short trips under previous owners will be fixed FOC by them during its warranty and you want ro risk a breakdown, then I'd leave such examples alone. Note that some low mileage examples are also showroom/courtesy/test-drive cars which often are not driven sympathetically, similar to repeated short urban use from cold, which can lead to exhaust/DPF systems clogging up and the battery dying prematurely.

For £15k (with or without PX on you existing car), you should be able to get a decent, reasonably new example of those I've suggested and many others from other Backroomers. If you think you'll be in this 33k miles a year situation for a reasonable number of years, then I'd go for the Hyundai as it has an unlimited miles 5 year warranty, rather than KIA's 7 year but only 100k miles one, which you'd go through in 2-3 years.

Best of luck.

Edited by Engineer Andy on 16/08/2018 at 15:01

I don't suppose there's any chance in you being able to get a company car? That would solve nearly all your mileage costs related issues, as the firm takes the hit on the depreciation (even if a lot of the mileage is your commute) and so you're just paying for your own fuel and the P11D - they take care of the rest, which can amount to a tidy sum if you do a lot of miles. An ex-colleague of mine did this as he was going to be doing 30k ish miles a year, most of which was company mileage.

In the end, he inherited a colleague's (who was getting another's car [a more senior colleague who was leaving]) i30 1.7TD estate (previous model). He found it a good car, just as easy to get on with as his previous (work) Mondeo 2.0TDI. If you think you'll be at your firm/office for some time as its a good set up, then if you can opt for a company car, then its well worth it for high mileage users like yourself.

As regards the Jetta, if I recall, HJ's review a few years back said that it was quite softly sprung and wallowed a bit through the corners when compared to the sister Golf - not helped by it being larger (though nice for the boot space). You may find that some VAG cars are better handling than others, despite them being very similar in design specs. For example, Skodas seem to be set up more for 'safe' handling than, say SEATs (at least the Leon) which may be considered more 'sporty'. VWs in between (proper GTi models excepting).

You may also want to consider the Leon estate and Octavia in SE form on the higher profile 16in tyres - not only will the ride by more comfortable than higher spec models shod on 17in (not that bad) or 18in lower profile tyres, you'll save shedloads of cash (unless you can opt for a company car, in which case, go with the set up best suited to your drive/comfort) on replacements, given the high mileage and low profile tyres and bigger wheels greater susceptibility to terminal damage (as you may have seen me and others talk about elsewhere on the forum).

One thing to bear in mind - upper spec cars may have more luxurious features, but most (other than REAL luxury cars, costing upwards of £100k when new) only come on low or ultra low profile tyres that cannot even be swapped out for 'ordinary' profile (50, 55 and above) ones, and even when they can to a degree, they are still large and each come with a huge price tag to the likes of a 205/55 r16 or suchlike. Same goes with the alloys. Most of such cars are really 'sports luxury cars' with big brakes, meaning you can't swap to smaller wheels (even when new) and higher profile tyres. The suspension seems fine when new, but after a pounding of a couple of years or a lot of mileage, many can get a bit firm and, if they develop problems, cost a fortune to repair. Similarly for most parts on more expensive 'luxury' makes.

If only the likes of Lexus made cars that had a decent ride and drove well (handling/performance) as well as being very well made and engineered for longevity. Oh, and looked nice.

No problem about me droning on - I'm currently (and have been for a while now) mulling over a career change whilst twiddling my thumbs at home, so it's nice to think about other things once in a while. Takes my mind off the fact that I have yet to come with something worth pursuing in a year now. Ouch.

Thank you for your incredibly detailed reply, this is exactly the kind of feedback I've been seeking.

I've scrubbed Mazdas and BMWs from the wishlist for the timebeing, and will look into Volvos as I hadn't previously considered them. They certainly look fit for purpose, and the prices aren't excessive. Good news!

I'm still interested in the Audi but it's finding a model that's decently priced that's going to be an issue. They, understandably, carry a premium.

Thanks again!

I recently swapped to an estate, a Toyota Avensis 1.8 auto in fact. I wouldnt suggest this as suitable for your needs even with the new BMW diesel engine. However I seriously considered a Honda Civic estate. This has massive carrying capacity and with the well respected Honda 1.6 diesel will give real mpg of over 60 mpg. The diesel is considered to be one of the best, and for the money you are considering spending you should be able to find a dealer warranted model with less than 20k on the clock. However, the diesels are manual only.

I came very close to buying a petrol auto Civic, but the Avensis nudged it on overall size and capacity combined with an excellent and very local dealer. The Civic has a somewhat starship galactica style about it, an acquired taste for some, but style was not a consideration for me. Japanese, dealer warranted, low miles and well within budget looks attractive?

The default option here is usually a Ford Mondeo,or with the same engine I think, Peugeot 407.

I am surprised that the Skoda Superb has not been mentioned. I did similar mileage to the OP and found the Superb diesel really, well superb! At a steady 70ish the fuel return was into the 50's. I put over 200k miles on mine without any significant problem. Routine service and maintainance were all it had. Mine was set on the high mileage service programme and the computer flashed up when a service was due. Usually about every 17k to 20k miles. Long life synthetic oil for the engine, that was it. Used a well known fuel brand with a full tank of the ultimate stuff once a month. Really comfortable and relaxing to ride in and drive. Obviously the longer wheelbase of the car makes for a smoother ride on decent profile Michelin Primacy tyres. At that sort of mileage the DPF should not be a real problem. Test drive one to see. As for room!! the boot had an echo and could swallow anything, then with the seats down, wow, real space to put things. Good luck. Cheers Concrete

How about a mondeo Vignale spec. The mondeo is a great motorway car and had a huge boot, even in hatch form and especially in estate form.

The Vignale trim is Fords best, like old Ghia spec. Should give you lots of toys. Even a 15 played could be in your price range.

Yep - that would be my choice - an already great car tweaked towards even better refinement, it's more than just trim, the damper rates are different and it has thicker glazing for better refinement. talking of trim the seats are superb. Perhaps over-priced new - but the Vignale is a cracking used buy.

I did. My ex-colleague has an i30 estate as a company car, and does similar mileage. He liked it even when he was 'downsizing' from a Mondeo with a 2.0TDI to the i30 with a 1.7CTDI. The unlimited mileage warranty means (as long as its serviced properly and on schedule) he'll likely get at least 3 years (its 2 yo already) cheap, trouble-free motoring (motorway driving shouldn't cause any gearbox issues) out of it.

The Skodas are, I think also a good bet as they still are the cheapest in the VAG range and are huge inside. Great if you carry a lot and for families, and can still give decent mpg for both the diesels and petrols of 1.5 ltr and under whilst still delivering decent performance. Just avoid the DSG auto box.

Or if a Superb is just too big, then the Octavia estate is almost as roomy. the 1.4 TSI is almst as economical as a diesel, but the 2.0 diesel is a good engine too. Or there's the vRS with the same engine as in the Golf GTI: I had three vRS estates and loved them.

If you need an automatic, the DSG in the 2-litre cars is the much more durable wet-clutch version.