1.6 petrol Focus estate is cheap to buy and insure. 5k annual mileage really doesn't warrant a diesel. Your £3k budget will go considerably further with petrol, or, alternatively, get a slightly older petrol for c £2.5k and with the £500 saving push up your excess to bring the premium down to something more reasonable.

Welcome to the forum. I agree with Unthrottled: petrol would probably be best for your needs, not least because a well-used diesel can need expensive repairs.

To an extent at your budget level, condition is more important than make or model; secondhand French cars are more of a gamble then others because although they can be very good if properly looked after and well-driven, they are more likely to go wrong if neglected or abused.

Something straightforward like a Focus or Astra should suit you, as there should be plenty around to choose from. If you want more room, there's the Octavia or Mondeo and various medium-sized Japanese estates (although there won't be as many of those around).

Edited by Avant on 15/05/2011 at 18:45

I would ask whether you could manage without a car? If you do your supermarket shop online and rent when you go on occasional long runs, you would be quids in. The other option is to look at joining a car club.

Even a sensible bike with panniers could be used for shopping trips if you can't get organised to shop online. An old car which spends 99% of its time parked up is a money pit.

Thanks all for suggestions. Looks like a petrol estate it is, and definitely seems worth cutting the budget a little - my voluntary exess is already maxed out to get the best price, but I figure it's probably worth saving a little to cover servicing and maintenance in the future (something I completely neglected to do for my poor 306).