Wouldn't be keen on anything second hand with a DSG box, but especially the dry clutch version you'd get on the smaller petrol engines. They can be reliable if they have been driven considerately and looked after properly, but how would you determine how a second hand car has been driven?.

Honda Civic, Mazda 3 or Toyota Auris. As an auto, I'd have one of them in a heartbeat over anything with a dual clutch automated manual.

If you can up the budget a bit, suggest adding Peugeot 2008 1.2 puretech with the reliable EAT6 (not the earlier ETG autobox) to your list. We've had one for nearly two years and are still v pleased with it. It's a great powertrain and SWMBO likes the low rear loading platform with no lip - like the estate cars we used to have. It is intended to last/outlast us at least as long as its predecessor, a Focus estate, now over 20yrs old.

OK, thanks for the feedback. I was hoping that post 2013 they'd sort some dsg issues out like on the 1.4 TSi but reading the feedback it sounds not. I've got the Toyota Auris / Lexus as next option because I know they last, just a shame it's not as nice a car to be around with as the Golf.