There are some good French cars around, but they are more vulnerable to abuse and neglect than similar Japanese cars: so buying a 10-year-old French car is even more of a gamble.

For £1,000 condition is more important than make or model: try to find something that has a service history and at least appears to have been lookd after properly. If in doubt look at petrol-powered Toyotas, Nissans, Hondas or Mazdas.