£8k reliable and cheap to run car

[TameRacingDriver]

A mate of mine has asked me if I'll help him find a car for £8k or under that will be reliable and cheap to run.

Nothing with a wet belt, or any other big design flaw.

Supermini sized.

Been looking at Fiesta 1.25 so far.

I don't know much about 'boring' cars as it's not my thing really, so just seeking some suggestions to look into.

Thanks!

[borcy]

How about a jazz or a yaris.

Lots of choice, well screwed together, cheap to run.

[Mammasaid]

If he can charge at home, then cheap to run and reliable screams EV to me

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?channel=ca...

[MrWideFit]

Mammasaid said:

If he can charge at home, then cheap to run and reliable screams EV to me

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?channel=ca...

The quoted range on the Fortwo ev seems very poor considering what else is in the same price range though,

The black corsa E seems a better deal for the same cost

[Mad Maximus]

Honda jazz. Nicer to drive than you think and this sort of car is where the reputation of jap reliability comes from.

[Vsix and Vtec]

Another vote for the Honda Jazz or 8th Gen Civic. Nigh-on indestructible and plentiful. Just watch for rust

[RizzoTheRat]

Another vote for a Jazz, my wife had a first generation one. As reliable as a brick with cheap servicing, and the short bonnet and excellent turning circle made it a great town car. Not as comfortable as a bigger car on a longer run, but the newer models look to be a lot more plush inside.

[blue_haddock]

A hybrid Yaris would be my shout

[Matt_T]

Mazda 2 with the 1.5 skyactive.
I was thinking you could get into a Mazda 2 hybrid but they are a little more expensive.

[eth2190]

Mammasaid said:

If he can charge at home, then cheap to run and reliable screams EV to me

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?channel=ca...

Also a 33kwh i3 Rex could be had around that budget. This one has decent spec and low miles https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/167910333030

[Matt_T]

Ssangyongs / KGMs are great value for money... you can get a 2022 car for your budget...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18412357

[ExBoringVolvoDriver]

A bit more than the budget but I would go for this one

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508015...

Failing that then this

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510307...


For my sins, we had a 1.3 Jazz for 18 months (it was written off) and it was surprisingly nippy especially when you used the VTEC as it should be and was like a tardis inside - the magic seats are great!

Reliability should be good, my son had a Civic and took it from 70,000 to 120,000 miles without any issues.

[TameRacingDriver]

Thanks all, some good ideas here, which I'll pass on

EV not practical as he lives in a flat.

[CrippsCorner]

Matt_T said:

Ssangyongs / KGMs are great value for money... you can get a 2022 car for your budget...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18412357

Must be the first time I've seen those recommended on here! My neighbours spent £10k on one, 3 months later had a major issue and it's been parked up since, about a year now and has never moved. Terrible things going by my admittedly limited experience!

[Skodillac]

Skoda Fabia.

[ZX10R NIN]

Kia Rio First Edition:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510297...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511017...

GT Line S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511017...

1.2 Clio Signature Nav:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510237...

Dynamique S Nav:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510107...

Booster Jet Swift Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510317...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510197...

1.4T Adam Gand Slam:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509106...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508215...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510247...

[Matt_T]

CrippsCorner said:

Matt_T said:

Ssangyongs / KGMs are great value for money... you can get a 2022 car for your budget...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18412357

Must be the first time I've seen those recommended on here! My neighbours spent £10k on one, 3 months later had a major issue and it's been parked up since, about a year now and has never moved. Terrible things going by my admittedly limited experience!

Parkers score them 4/5 for reliability. They also have a 7 year / 100,000 mile warranty. So if you buy a 2022 you still get 4 years warranty.

[Vsix and Vtec]

Matt_T said:

CrippsCorner said:

Matt_T said:

Ssangyongs / KGMs are great value for money... you can get a 2022 car for your budget...
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18412357

Must be the first time I've seen those recommended on here! My neighbours spent £10k on one, 3 months later had a major issue and it's been parked up since, about a year now and has never moved. Terrible things going by my admittedly limited experience!

Parkers score them 4/5 for reliability. They also have a 7 year / 100,000 mile warranty. So if you buy a 2022 you still get 4 years warranty.

They're a far cry from the old Ssangyong of the mid to late 90s, but they're a very long way from being in the same sentence as anything from Honda. A coworker of mine bought the pickup as a better equipped alternative to the Ranger of the same pricepoint. its been back to Ssangyong twice in 8 months, once they kept it for 3 weeks because the part was on backorder. If your vanity won't let you drive an older car, there's always Dacia.

[TameRacingDriver]

Thanks for the suggestions folks. Despite asking me for advice, he's gone with the car he originally said he wanted, a 1.2 80 bhp fiesta. Sorry for wasting your time

[PovertyPrince]

Mammasaid said:

If he can charge at home, then cheap to run and reliable screams EV to me

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?channel=ca...

Even if he can’t. Public charging is manageable and shouldn’t cost much more than filling a tank with dinosaur juice.

I can’t charge at home but I’m looking at switching, I can charge for free at the gym and work has some public ones available (not free)