Ford vs V.A.G. reliability
Discussion
Need something which will minimise visits to the garage. Not interested in Dacia or the Stellantis lot even though they're easy on the budget, but if there's really good suggestions then will consider.
Keen on picking something between Ford and VW/Skoda/Seat, there's plenty of all-round choices at my price range and many of them are recent and low mileage which is promising.
Will be keeping this for the long term
Budget up to £13k
Ideally automatic
5 doors, doesn't need to be a spaceship at all, average hatch/crossover size is fine
But still hearing about the ford turbos going boom even as late as the 2019 models despite being years after the 'fix', likewise for their powershift transmissions
Haven't heard much wrong about the more recent TSIs, but i'm still finding a 'be wary' cautions for when the DSGs start to get on in life even as early as when the clock gets to 60,000
Don't have an issue with shelling out for the engine and transmission oil changes very frequently, but Im not gonna bother if im also replacing core components far too frequently as i had to do with a string of e90s a few years back, eventually i got sick of hearing about how the engines were all bulletproof 'its just the bits around it' as if it makes any difference
Might as well just get something japanese/korean instead and be done with it if thats the case, priorities are a bit different now, can't be faffing around like i used to.
Interested to get any thoughts?
Keen on picking something between Ford and VW/Skoda/Seat, there's plenty of all-round choices at my price range and many of them are recent and low mileage which is promising.
Will be keeping this for the long term
Budget up to £13k
Ideally automatic
5 doors, doesn't need to be a spaceship at all, average hatch/crossover size is fine
But still hearing about the ford turbos going boom even as late as the 2019 models despite being years after the 'fix', likewise for their powershift transmissions
Haven't heard much wrong about the more recent TSIs, but i'm still finding a 'be wary' cautions for when the DSGs start to get on in life even as early as when the clock gets to 60,000
Don't have an issue with shelling out for the engine and transmission oil changes very frequently, but Im not gonna bother if im also replacing core components far too frequently as i had to do with a string of e90s a few years back, eventually i got sick of hearing about how the engines were all bulletproof 'its just the bits around it' as if it makes any difference
Might as well just get something japanese/korean instead and be done with it if thats the case, priorities are a bit different now, can't be faffing around like i used to.
Interested to get any thoughts?
If reliability is the key, just get a Corolla/Auris/Prius - a million Uber drivers can't be wrong....
Otherwise, the 1.5 and 1.6 Ford ecoboost don't have the wet belt that plagues other engines.
A Focus with either of those engine would be a decent steer and better value than the equivalent Golf.
Otherwise, the 1.5 and 1.6 Ford ecoboost don't have the wet belt that plagues other engines.
A Focus with either of those engine would be a decent steer and better value than the equivalent Golf.
Kiwijuice81 said:
Need something which will minimise visits to the garage. Not interested in Dacia or the Stellantis lot even though they're easy on the budget, but if there's really good suggestions then will consider.
Keen on picking something between Ford and VW/Skoda/Seat, there's plenty of all-round choices at my price range and many of them are recent and low mileage which is promising.
Will be keeping this for the long term
Budget up to £13k
Ideally automatic
5 doors, doesn't need to be a spaceship at all, average hatch/crossover size is fine
But still hearing about the ford turbos going boom even as late as the 2019 models despite being years after the 'fix', likewise for their powershift transmissions
Haven't heard much wrong about the more recent TSIs, but i'm still finding a 'be wary' cautions for when the DSGs start to get on in life even as early as when the clock gets to 60,000
Don't have an issue with shelling out for the engine and transmission oil changes very frequently, but Im not gonna bother if im also replacing core components far too frequently as i had to do with a string of e90s a few years back, eventually i got sick of hearing about how the engines were all bulletproof 'its just the bits around it' as if it makes any difference
Might as well just get something japanese/korean instead and be done with it if thats the case, priorities are a bit different now, can't be faffing around like i used to.
Interested to get any thoughts?
Keen on picking something between Ford and VW/Skoda/Seat, there's plenty of all-round choices at my price range and many of them are recent and low mileage which is promising.
Will be keeping this for the long term
Budget up to £13k
Ideally automatic
5 doors, doesn't need to be a spaceship at all, average hatch/crossover size is fine
But still hearing about the ford turbos going boom even as late as the 2019 models despite being years after the 'fix', likewise for their powershift transmissions
Haven't heard much wrong about the more recent TSIs, but i'm still finding a 'be wary' cautions for when the DSGs start to get on in life even as early as when the clock gets to 60,000
Don't have an issue with shelling out for the engine and transmission oil changes very frequently, but Im not gonna bother if im also replacing core components far too frequently as i had to do with a string of e90s a few years back, eventually i got sick of hearing about how the engines were all bulletproof 'its just the bits around it' as if it makes any difference
Might as well just get something japanese/korean instead and be done with it if thats the case, priorities are a bit different now, can't be faffing around like i used to.
Interested to get any thoughts?
What size of car are you looking for?
I'd actually suggest looking at the Auto Astra/Insignia they have conventional auto boxes & are just as reliable as the Ford/VAG options.
How many miles and what type of driving are you planning to do per year? Reliable I would go with Toyota. They produced a lot of the hybrid over the years and the car is not as bad as people say. As a reliable means of transport they are very good.
Failing that I probably would go Ford. I do have a Honda Civic on 60K miles in just over 3 years and perfect reliable car as well.
Failing that I probably would go Ford. I do have a Honda Civic on 60K miles in just over 3 years and perfect reliable car as well.
It's a tricky one - a number of factors can affect reliability, including the brand of course. But then some models within a brand can be more reliable than others. Then some model variants (engines, gearboxes, etc) can be reliable while others are not. Also the year they were made, e.g. a pre 2012 VAG TSI engine was a lot less reliable than a newer post-2013 engine for example. Then you also have to factor in has the previous owner use it and looked after it, etc.
Here's what I'd be looking at in your situation
Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303235...
Mazda 3 2.0 Skyactiv-G
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304246...
Lexus CT200h
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305026...
Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 TB Multiair Sportiva
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304226...
BMW 320i Touring
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305167...
Hyundai i40 1.4T GDI estate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305207...
Ford Mondeo 1.5T Ecoboost
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304136...
Volvo V40 T2
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305157...
Here's what I'd be looking at in your situation
Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303235...
Mazda 3 2.0 Skyactiv-G
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304246...
Lexus CT200h
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305026...
Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 TB Multiair Sportiva
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304226...
BMW 320i Touring
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305167...
Hyundai i40 1.4T GDI estate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305207...
Ford Mondeo 1.5T Ecoboost
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304136...
Volvo V40 T2
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305157...
I've driven the civic several times, reliable but the auto gearbox doesn't suit it as the engine likes high revs and the ratios are quite high.
I used to own a v40, they're OK depending on what choice of engine/gearbox. Underneath they're a Ford focus and plagued by the power shift gearboxes in some models.
If you live in a low crime area, the CT200 is a great car. It's just a Toyota auris/prius so can run to high mileages with low costs. I've had one as a loan car for a week. Suspension is hard, which is OK if you want sporty butnot the most relaxing.
If you do live in a high crime area, avoid the CT along with Auris and prius. Toyota keeps sticking the catalytic converter on the bottom of the car where it's easy to steal. I had a metal shield and a tilt alarm on my Auris, but they are pretty useless.
Personally I'd recommend the golf and octavia. Loads were sold, so there is a good choice available with different specifications. You just need to do a bit of research depending on engine/gearbox. The older 1.4 petrol with dsg are good and in budget, I have a 1.5 but people say that the older 1.4 was well made too.
I used to own a v40, they're OK depending on what choice of engine/gearbox. Underneath they're a Ford focus and plagued by the power shift gearboxes in some models.
If you live in a low crime area, the CT200 is a great car. It's just a Toyota auris/prius so can run to high mileages with low costs. I've had one as a loan car for a week. Suspension is hard, which is OK if you want sporty butnot the most relaxing.
If you do live in a high crime area, avoid the CT along with Auris and prius. Toyota keeps sticking the catalytic converter on the bottom of the car where it's easy to steal. I had a metal shield and a tilt alarm on my Auris, but they are pretty useless.
Personally I'd recommend the golf and octavia. Loads were sold, so there is a good choice available with different specifications. You just need to do a bit of research depending on engine/gearbox. The older 1.4 petrol with dsg are good and in budget, I have a 1.5 but people say that the older 1.4 was well made too.
Edited by Whataguy on Monday 5th June 21:51
Whataguy said:
I've driven the civic several times, reliable but the auto gearbox doesn't suit it as the engine likes high revs and the ratios are quite high.
I used to own a v40, they're OK depending on what choice of engine/gearbox. Underneath they're a Ford focus and plagued by the power shift gearboxes in some models.
If you live in a low crime area, the CT200 is a great car. It's just a Toyota auris/prius so can run to high mileages with low costs. I've had one as a loan car for a week. Suspension is hard, which is OK if you want sporty butnot the most relaxing.
If you do live in a high crime area, avoid the CT along with Auris and prius. Toyota keeps sticking the catalytic converter on the bottom of the car where it's easy to steal. I had a metal shield and a tilt alarm on my Auris, but they are pretty useless.
Personally I'd recommend the golf and octavia. Loads were sold, so there is a good choice available with different specifications. You just need to do a bit of research depending on engine/gearbox. The older 1.4 petrol with dsg are good and in budget, I have a 1.5 but people say that the older 1.4 was well made too.
Post 2015 the V40s used Volvo’s own VME engine and Aisin auto gearbox, so no Ecoboost/powershift. I used to own a v40, they're OK depending on what choice of engine/gearbox. Underneath they're a Ford focus and plagued by the power shift gearboxes in some models.
If you live in a low crime area, the CT200 is a great car. It's just a Toyota auris/prius so can run to high mileages with low costs. I've had one as a loan car for a week. Suspension is hard, which is OK if you want sporty butnot the most relaxing.
If you do live in a high crime area, avoid the CT along with Auris and prius. Toyota keeps sticking the catalytic converter on the bottom of the car where it's easy to steal. I had a metal shield and a tilt alarm on my Auris, but they are pretty useless.
Personally I'd recommend the golf and octavia. Loads were sold, so there is a good choice available with different specifications. You just need to do a bit of research depending on engine/gearbox. The older 1.4 petrol with dsg are good and in budget, I have a 1.5 but people say that the older 1.4 was well made too.
Edited by Whataguy on Monday 5th June 21:51
I’d avoid the VAG products with the 1.4/1.5 TSI engines paired to a DSG as they use the dry clutch DQ200 box, which isn’t a great one.
I would avoid Ford and VAG if reliability is the priority.
I think the last reliable Ford was the Mk 3 Mondeo and VAG was early Golfs which their still living off today.
I'm struggling to think of anything I'd trust these days as cars have had reliability engineered to just beyond warranty.
Maybe what the OP is asking for are cars without known inherent weaknesses.
I think the last reliable Ford was the Mk 3 Mondeo and VAG was early Golfs which their still living off today.
I'm struggling to think of anything I'd trust these days as cars have had reliability engineered to just beyond warranty.
Maybe what the OP is asking for are cars without known inherent weaknesses.
Pistom said:
Maybe what the OP is asking for are cars without known inherent weaknesses.
This. You can never tell whether a car will give you issues or not, but starting from a point where the car doesn't have anything that is guaranteed to give you problems is always a bonus. Given the love for the Astra K, I think I'd be considering one of those and I'm someone who has a strong dislike for Vauxhall.
Chicken Chaser said:
Pistom said:
Maybe what the OP is asking for are cars without known inherent weaknesses.
This. You can never tell whether a car will give you issues or not, but starting from a point where the car doesn't have anything that is guaranteed to give you problems is always a bonus. Given the love for the Astra K, I think I'd be considering one of those and I'm someone who has a strong dislike for Vauxhall.
It's impossible to say - as the issues vary by model / year
You don't want a Ford Powers
t gearbox nor an Ecoboom engine nor do you want an Audi with belt issues
As suggested if you want reliability - japanese has been the answer for 50+ years with the odd notable exception like Mazda diesels
You don't want a Ford Powers
t gearbox nor an Ecoboom engine nor do you want an Audi with belt issues As suggested if you want reliability - japanese has been the answer for 50+ years with the odd notable exception like Mazda diesels
KTMsm said:
It's impossible to say - as the issues vary by model / year
You don't want a Ford Powerst gearbox nor an Ecoboom engine nor do you want an Audi with belt issues
As suggested if you want reliability - japanese has been the answer for 50+ years with the odd notable exception like Mazda diesels
I’ve had a reliable VW Scirocco with a 2.0TSI engine, a Volvo S60 which has an EcoBoom engine and hasn’t given any engine issues in 6.5 years of ownership, and I’ve owned a Honda Civic which was always in the garage for stupid faults like failed wiper motors, knackered CD player and things like that. There’s no guarantee of reliability and some cars that are meant to be bad can actually give no trouble.You don't want a Ford Powers
t gearbox nor an Ecoboom engine nor do you want an Audi with belt issues As suggested if you want reliability - japanese has been the answer for 50+ years with the odd notable exception like Mazda diesels
LightningBlue said:
I’ve had a reliable VW Scirocco with a 2.0TSI engine, a Volvo S60 which has an EcoBoom engine and hasn’t given any engine issues in 6.5 years of ownership, and I’ve owned a Honda Civic which was always in the garage for stupid faults like failed wiper motors, knackered CD player and things like that.
There’s no guarantee of reliability and some cars that are meant to be bad can actually give no trouble.
It's simple odds - if 30% of ecobooms blow up and 0.000001% of Civics blow up the odds are that a Civic is more reliable but we'll still have the odd owner who's experience is the oppositeThere’s no guarantee of reliability and some cars that are meant to be bad can actually give no trouble.
georgeyboy12345 said:
Chicken Chaser said:
Pistom said:
Maybe what the OP is asking for are cars without known inherent weaknesses.
This. You can never tell whether a car will give you issues or not, but starting from a point where the car doesn't have anything that is guaranteed to give you problems is always a bonus. Given the love for the Astra K, I think I'd be considering one of those and I'm someone who has a strong dislike for Vauxhall.
Kiwijuice81 said:
Keen on picking something between Ford and VW/Skoda/Seat
Kiwijuice81 said:
Ideally automatic
There's a good chance you'd be looking at something with either a Powershift or DSG 'box. Neither are exactly renowned for their reliability. Earlier examples of the 1.0 Ecoboost aren't great either, nor are early TSI engines.To be honest, if reliability is your main concern, neither Ford nor VW should be anywhere near the top of your list!
Kiwijuice81 said:
Need something which will minimise visits to the garage. Not interested in Dacia or the Stellantis lot even though they're easy on the budget, but if there's really good suggestions then will consider.
Interested to get any thoughts?
Toyota Yaris, or Auris if Yaris is too small.Interested to get any thoughts?
Stick it into a Toyota dealer for a service each year and you'll get a warranty until the car's done 100k, or reaches 10 years old.
A bit more street cred?
Lexus CT
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