For Motorway miles there are few better cars than the VW Passat, I understand you think you can't afford them but I have found a few for example

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201111382415325/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/maximum-age/up_to_7_years_old/body-type/saloon/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/transmission/manual/price-to/5000/model/passat/make/volkswagen/page/1/postcode/sw1a0aa/radius/1501?logcode=p

Or this one less miles but not as nice interior

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201113383200751/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/maximum-age/up_to_7_years_old/body-type/saloon/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/transmission/manual/price-to/5000/model/passat/make/volkswagen/page/1/postcode/sw1a0aa/radius/1501?logcode=p

I agree that the VAG 1.9 TDI is a good reliable engine, although you can get a Skoda Octavia with this engine more cheaply than a Passat. I don't think Skoda ever fitted the 130 bhp version to the Octavia, so it'll depend on whether mpg or mph is more important to you.

Hi there :)

I would say whoever told you only the Germans make reliable cars are being unfair, thats quite a generalism and the fact is there is no right or wrong. Ive had people ask me before if a Golf is an "ideal used purchase" and things like that and the fact is there is no answer to that, it all depends on the specific car, service history, condition etc.

Ive got a Focus auto at the moment and its a nice car i like it, but my previous car was a Peugeot 406 HDi Executive automatic and that was the best car ive ever had. Some websites say they have reliability issues but it had 137k on it when i got it, and it was one of the late ones on an 03 plate, but in sparkling condition, i did 45k in three and a half years with it and apart from one of the engine fans breaking (which was still its original part, to be fair to it) i never had a problem with it. And i got that fixed independantly, about £200 to do. But then my ex girlfriends BMW 320, german car, was nothing but a problem child, so theres no right or wrong answer. I would still have the 406 had someone not crashed into it and ive seen 406 Diesels hit 200k with few issues. If i can find another one like what i had i would buy it, but they're in rare supply now.

The 407 is a nice car, a friend of mine uses one as a taxi and has had no complaints. Never been a fan of Vauxhall's myself personally. But for 4-5k theres plenty of choice out there mate, i wouldnt be overly concerned with mileage on a diesel, as a diesel engine comfortably lasts longer than a petrol one anyway, like i say my one with 137k on it still felt new, but it depends on how its been treated and maintained. But diesels are usually bought by people doing alot of miles, so looking on auto trader you see most diesels in that price bracket have done a few miles. And most Japanese automatic diesels in that price range are 4x4s or people carriers. And just looking at Mercedes C Classes most of them under 5k have done 150k+

Im seeing some Ford Mondeo on 03 plates on Auto Trader, diesel auto's for around £3,000 with mileage under 100k, you should get well over 40mpg on a good motorway journey at least with one of them.

Another car i really like is the Volvo S80, the D5 is a terrific car, but most of them for that money have done almost 200k.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201103377496864/sort/priceasc/usedcars/transmission/automatic/price-from/2000/fuel-type/diesel/price-to/5000/model/s80/make/volvo/postcode/ip119ad/page/3/radius/1500?logcode=p

But i dont mean to criticise your choice to buy a new car but in my opinion, spending 4k on a new car just to get a slightly better mpg is a bit of a waste of money if you dont mind me asking. If you're still happy with the Mazda and its still driving well etc. I dont know how many miles you'll do but i often find, doing some maths, that the expendature to buy a new car (not counting whatever you'd get for the mazda) can often mean you're waiting quite some time to actually be in the black, despite better fuel economy. Just something to think about.

Jamie