What real-world 2 car garage for 10k?

[Starsky80]

This is a genuine what 2 car garage, not just hypothetical, so read the criteria carefully!

Just moved back to the UK after living overseas for the last 12 years and looking for a couple of vehicles for me and my wife. Reliability, practicality and cheap to run and insure are our biggest priorities but it would be nice to have something with a bit of style and that’s enjoyable to drive too. We have 2 school aged children and are both in our 40s but our insurance may be costly due to our lack of UK NCB, so probably not anything too high performance.

My wife would like an A/B segment sized hatchback with 5 doors and a manual transmission and probably petrol rather than diesel. My daughter is 14 years old as well, so it may become her first car in 3 years time, so that’s something to bear in mind.

I would like a larger C/D segment sized “family” hatchback or estate, again manual and possibly diesel as I’ll be doing around 20k+ miles per year.

Ideally looking for cars less than 10 years old with a maximum budget of 10k to purchase both vehicles (if I could get that closer to 8k then all the better).

For my wife, I’ve always quite liked Fiestas but am put off by the 1.0 Ecoboost engines, which many of them seem to have, as I understand that they have a multitude of reliability problems. Likewise, any Peugeot/Citroen/Vauxhall with the “Puretech” engine.

For this reason, I am leaning towards a current shape VW Polo/SEAT Ibiza or a previous generation Skoda Fabia Estate with the 1.0 TSI engine. Is that a belt or chain driven engine? The SEAT Ibiza FR models in particular are very good looking. Not sure about other options, Renault Clio etc but I would prefer to avoid main dealer servicing and I know that there is a very well regarded VW specialist local to us.

A bit leftfield and they’re a bit older but I also quite like the 2nd generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class or the Peugeot 207 SW. Both small but very practical cars and I’d probably go diesel on either because the Mercedes/Peugeot diesels are more reliable than the petrols?

For me, I’m also leaning towards a SEAT/Skoda, as I really like the look of the mk3 (previous generation) SEAT Leon FR or the mk3 Skoda Octavia vRS hatchback/estate, probably all with a manual transmission and the 2.0 TDI engine. They are belt driven engines but as long as you change the belt on time, VW diesels are pretty bombproof in my experience. I owned a mk7 Golf for several years and it was a fantastic car, so although I’m not against trying something different, there’s an element of stick with what you know.

In the same vein, I would also consider an Audi A3 Sportback (8V) with the 2.0 TDI engine.

I haven’t driven any Peugeots/Vauxhalls for years but the 2010s Astra (J?) and Insignia with the 2.0 CDTI both look like pretty good value, as do the 2nd generation Peugeot 308/308 SW with the diesel engines. I would also consider a previous generation Renault Megane Sport Tourer with the dCi engine. 2nd generation Mazda 6 but go petrol instead of diesel, although a 2 litre plus petrol will be less economical?

I’m not really an SUV/crossover kind of guy but the Dacia Duster dCi 4x4 also looks like pretty good value for 4-5k and I also quite like the look of Land Rover Freelander 2s.

So bearing in mind that the budget is only 4-5k per car and many of these options will be honing in on or over 100,000 miles, what 2 cars that meet the above criteria would be the best buy in terms of reliability, insurance and running costs? Any other options that I’ve overlooked?

[vaud]

Depending on the country you have moved from and the UK insurer, some will accept a foreign NCB so it is worth asking them (Google or use one of their chatbots)

At that price range you are buying on condition. For 20k miles it depends on how much you get paid per mile.

[Tannedbaldhead]

If you don't need the space and long range refinement you could drop a class down from Fiestas and 208s to Toyota Aygo/ Pug 108/ Citroën C1 or VW/Up/ Skoda Citygo/ SEAT Mi sized cars.
Cheaper to run and insure and easier for a learner/new driver to get to grips with.
The money saved can put you a nicer big car.

[Tannedbaldhead]

Tannedbaldhead said:

If you don't need the space and long range refinement you could drop a class down from Fiestas and 208s to Toyota Aygo/ Pug 108/ Citroën C1 or VW/Up/ Skoda Citygo/ SEAT Mi sized cars.
Cheaper to run and insure and easier for a learner/new driver to get to grips with.
The money saved can put you a nicer big car.

And I forgot to mention Hyundai's i10 and the Kia Picanto.
Both are sweet little drives, nice light and easy and Both are rated for better than average reliability.

[kiethton]

I'd be going for a 1.25 fiesta, bullet proof simple engine, drive well, still look/feel modern enough and practical in 5dr form - allow £3-3.5k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025100268...

Then for yours I'd be looking at something like the below:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025101571...

[tiger roll]

Doesn't satisfy all of your criteria but a combo of a 2016 Bluemotion Passat estate and a 2018 Nissan Leaf Tekna might make sense?

[A500leroy]

Aygo
Alfa Guillita ( excuse spelling)

[Starsky80]

Tannedbaldhead said:

If you don't need the space and long range refinement you could drop a class down from Fiestas and 208s to Toyota Aygo/ Pug 108/ Citroën C1 or VW/Up/ Skoda Citygo/ SEAT Mi sized cars.
Cheaper to run and insure and easier for a learner/new driver to get to grips with.
The money saved can put you a nicer big car.

Good shout, I do quite like the VW Up and was thinking that would be what I would get for my daughter when the time comes but it is tighter in the back for teenage children than something like a Polo, small boot and my wife has been used to having a bit more power. I thought that the 1.0 TSI might be a bit zippier. She wants a small car whilst she gets used to driving on narrow UK roads again but still wants something with a bit of pep.

[ZX10R NIN]

If your OH likes the A class then look at the Infiniti Q30 range (they're an A Class in everyway apart from the body panels) you'll get a nice one for around half your two car budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509025...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510117...

Or there's the Mazda3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510097...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510157...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509176...

For you I'd recommend the Insignia they're a good buy & ypu'll get a nicely spec'd one with sensible miles for your budget, the drivetrains are well proven & they;re sensible on running costs:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507174...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505313...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510056...

Or there's the Q50 (this use the C220cdi drivetrain, as long as a saloon is ok) which is a very good buy at this price point & they're ULEZ compliant:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508105...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508085...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508105...

M30 d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509036...

508's are well proven but most won't be ULEZ compliant:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505132...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510167...

DS5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510127...

Mondeo's are a great option but they hold they're money compared to the above.

All the above are very decent reliable cars that will soak up 20k a year with ease.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Friday 24th October 19:12

[vaud]

Depending on the country you have moved from and the UK insurer, some will accept a foreign NCB so it is worth asking them (Google or use one of their chatbots)

At that price range you are buying on condition. For 20k miles it depends on how much you get paid per mile.

[OutInTheShed]

Buying a cheap car to do 20k miles a year in, you need to ask yourself how long you expect it to last.

If you insist on a car less than 10 years old, if it's cheap it will be high mileage, so won't last many years x 20kmiles without high risk of needing a lot of repairs. Also you can wipe a lot of value off some cars by taking them from say 110k miles to 150. Another year and it's 170k and has zero trade in value.

I think you'll struggle to get your wife a decent car for less than £4k, so that leaves £6k for a long distance car.
If you want it to still be acceptable with another 60k miles on it, I don't think I'd suggest something that's already high mileage.

Doing 20k miles a year will cost you £3k or upwards in fuel each year.
Taking a view over say two years, you could consider putting that fuel money into going electric.
Other than that, I'd look for any shed as cheap as possible that you feel confident will do you a year, and keep plenty of money in your pocket for the next one.

When you get out and look at actual cars in the metal, they often don't look as nice as they do in the photos on Autotrader. In this price range, many are an utter disappointment. To be fair, I mostly look at estates which makes things worse.

If you will be earning lots and only need to get through the first year before dumping the high mileage car on Gumtree, that's different.

[Sebring440]

I think you'll struggle to get ONE reliable, real-world car that meets your specs for £10K.

[vaud]

OP

Also look for non internet sources - even supermarket notice boards can bring up the odd surprise from a non technical generation.

[OutInTheShed]

vaud said:

OP

Also look for non internet sources - even supermarket notice boards can bring up the odd surprise from a non technical generation.

That's fair comment.
If you can find someone who needs to sell, you may get something for what WBAC would pay.
If you want a bargain, it helps if you are very flexible about what you buy.

But I think it's got harder to find cheap cars that don't have issues.
A lot of people keep things until they sense trouble, then get rid.