Best reliable car 7k or less

[Cal_0]

Hi all

My 2006 Kia Rio 1.5 CRDI just failed its MOT miserably. Subframe rusted to hell and brake issues.
I liked the 1.5 crdi engine.. pretty economical and good grunt, though the car has been horrendous otherwise.

Travel is approx 10k miles per year. I quite like diesels but want to avoid costly repairs so petrol seems to be the better route.

Would prefer 5 door, 110hp+, and mid-large sized. Cam chain would be a bonus. I suppose i'm trying to have it all... reliability is my main focus (which i equate with new as possible), then low costs/economy and then style.

So far i'm considering the following:-

BMW 1 Series (have seen a 2010 plate 2.0 petrol with 22k miles on it for £6500. Quite expensive for an older car but seems in excellent shape)
BMW 3 Series (maybe??)
Honda Civic (open to both petrol & diesel)
Seat Leon (Not many petrol models in my price range. Seem to be a few diesels around)

I was considering Skoda Fabia as 3 year old ones can be had for 5-6k, but the 1L & 1.2L engines seem pretty pitiful.

Recommend me something!

Should I avoid any of the above?

Budget is 7K

Thanks

[Shiv_P]

Avoid 4 cylinder BMWs. Won't be reliable for this budget - timing chain issues
I'd look at a nice mk2 ford focus, honda civic, maybe a 1.6 golf or audi a3

[ZX10R NIN]

At 10k you're just on the cusp of making a diesel viable but you will need to be doing a decent journey at least once a month to make it viable.

The 2.0 petrol & diesel BMW's have issues, if you want a reliable petrol/diesel I'd look at the following:

Diesel

Kia Cee'd 4 diesel & you can extend the manufacturer's warranty on both of the cars below

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Giulietta Veloce

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Astra SRI VX Line

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Elite

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Focus Zetec S /Titanium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

308 Allure

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Petrol

Cee'd 3

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Astra Elite

Alfa Giulietta Veloce

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

1.4T 1.6 N/A Astra Limited Edition

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Focus Zetec S/Titanium 180/150

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mazda3 Sport Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

All the above will serve you well so you just need to workout if diesel works better than petrol for you, then workout a top 3 of cars from the above & other suggestions.

[Fittster]

If you want reliable I'd be looking at petrol Honda and Toyota/Lexus.

Honda:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Lexus

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Toyota

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Cal_0]

Thanks for the advice all.

I’ve never really liked Vauxhall or Ford though they seem good value.

Think I’ve narrowed it down to either a Golf 1.6tdi or Civic 2.2 I-dtec ..

However I’ve also seen a nice 2012 Golf 2.0 TDI GT..

Somehow the Golf 2.0 manages to be more road tax, less economical and less power vs the civic???

Also, any major factor to choose either the 1.6 and 2.0 Golf diesels?

Thanks again