Reliable practical comfy auto

[matt21]

Looking for a fairly specific car, and hoping to spend the least amount possible, but happy to spend up to £10k. Plan to keep the car 5 years doing about 20k pa.

Spacious, practical hatch or estate. Regularly carry large items and would like to take a bike in it.
Not too big as wife will use it. No bigger than 3 Series ideally
Must be auto and a reliable one (last 2 cars used for this purpose the gearbox has packed in)
45mpg+. Love diesels, if it’s ULEZ even better
Want heated seats, Bluetooth and usual comforts
Will carry young kids regularly so want something fairly modern (wife requirement)!
Reliability and running costs important. Don’t want huge bills or anything too complicated.
I like German cars for my sins (contradicts above I’m sure!)

Thinking of a 2013ish W204 C220CDI or a Golf estate. Anything else I should consider?!

[mikebradford]

Skoda superb, or octavia
Same engines as vw golf's, option of automatic
50+ mpg with diesal
And slightly more metal for your money than an equivalent vw

[Kuwahara]

V60 D4 or 3 ,just taken delivery on a 15 plate ,not the biggest estate by any means but 190 bhp auto and £30 VED ,drive is every bit as good as the MB w212 I had…

[matt21]

Are the DSG autos in the Skoda reliable? Don’t know much about the Volvo. Are they reliable too?

[Kuwahara]

Regular maintenance and most stuff will run without issue , auto in the Volvo is torque converter so no dual clutch worries….

[matt21]

Thanks!

What about the Merc C-Class. Would be looking for a C220CDI W204, but is the new model much better?

[pistonheader10101]

Volvo xc60

[matt21]

What about a Skoda Octavia estate? Can get a 2.0 TDI SE L auto estate for about £10k (2017 model). Sounds like it should be reliable. Don’t think it has heated seats though unfortunately