Small family automatic petrol car.

[Wings]

The criteria are that the car must be automatic transmission, petrol, five doors and 3 to 4 years old, with reliability being top of the list, I am presently looking at Volkswagen Polo, Seat Leon, Ford Fiesta and Skoda Fabia.

Of the above models is there one that you can recommend, or is there an additional automatic small family car that you can recommend, thanks.

[DonkeyApple]

I bought a 130 BMW when the children were toddlers. Was very capable at sprogg transport and fun when they weren't in it. Being rwd also meant a buggy could be stowed on the rear floor. It was a nice solid car that ticked a lot of boxes.

[Jim AK]

Wings said:

The criteria are that the car must be automatic transmission, petrol, five doors and 3 to 4 years old, with reliability being top of the list, I am presently looking at Volkswagen Polo, Seat Leon, Ford Fiesta and Skoda Fabia.

Of the above models is there one that you can recommend, or is there an additional automatic small family car that you can recommend, thanks.

I'd avoid the Polo. Mrs Jim AK has one (13 plate) & it seems much more fragile than earlier versions.

I suggested the Skoda & Seat but she's a bit of a badge snob, realises I did know what I was talking about now though!

I'd suggest also looking at a Kia or Hyundai of the age you want, someone at work had an i30 as a courtesy car just recently & when I went in it I was very impressed.

[Twig62]

Any VAG automatic will be a DSG and there is no way I would have one of them that was out of the manufacturers warranty.

[AJB88]

Wings said:

Volkswagen Polo, Seat Leon, Ford Fiesta and Skoda Fabia.

The Leon is the equivalent of the Golf, Octavia and A3.

Ibiza is the Polo, Fabia and A1.

They do the Ibiza in DSG aswell.

[shake n bake]

Hyundai i20, one of the most durable hatchbacks out there.

[Porkbrain]

The 2013 - 2016 Hyundai i10 is a very competent car that meets all your criteria, the Premium & Premium SE models are very well specced, lesser models are a bit sparse.
It was What Car's city car of the year for 3 years running, check their website for reviews.

And yes I do have one as a runabout, one of the best small cars I have had, though mine is a manual, not automatic.

It has a 5 year warranty & 5 year breakdown cover from new.

[Deerfoot]

Civic.

[Sheepshanks]

Honda Jazz MkII CVT.

In your list Leon is a size bigger than the others - did you mean Ibiza?

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say you missed the Clio off of that list they're smart reliable cars.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[Flooble]

Another vote to avoid the Polo. Colleague at work just had the gearbox explode (shafts through the bell housing - spectacular) on his 12 plate model with all of 15,000 or so on the clock. Serviced about two months ago too.

[Willy Nilly]

Not sure what the CVT's are like, but you need to look at a Jazz. They are a very practical car. The back doors open REALLY wide, which makes putting things in the back easy, then you have the Magic seats. Mine does 48mpg doing short trips around town. Mega reliable.

[rallycross]

Suzuki Swift auto is quite good to drive and one of the most reliable cars you could buy And they are good value compared to things like the Polo, Yaris etc.

[bearman68]

Wings said:

The criteria are that the car must be automatic transmission, petrol, five doors and 3 to 4 years old, with reliability being top of the list, I am presently looking at Volkswagen Polo, Seat Leon, Ford Fiesta and Skoda Fabia.

Of the above models is there one that you can recommend, or is there an additional automatic small family car that you can recommend, thanks.

VAG auto gearbox is a pile of rubbish (IMO) - Toyota, Honda, anybody but VAG.

[SebringMan]

bearman68 said:

VAG auto gearbox is a pile of rubbish (IMO) - Toyota, Honda, anybody but VAG.

On the few VAGs I have seen with 100+k the DSG boxes have been fine but the engines have not. I am not saying they don't go wrong but I wonder how far horror stories go with people repeating other people's information .

The DSGs do need an oil change every 30k, which I am willing to bet many don't do. They even have an easy to change gearbox filter on them .

But I am a person who plays roulette with car buying...

[AJB88]

bearman68 said:

VAG auto gearbox is a pile of rubbish (IMO) - Toyota, Honda, anybody but VAG.

Running 400ps through DSG no issues at all.

[DonkeyApple]

24 hours and so few replies. Should have said 'diesel'?

[steve-5snwi]

If you can find one a 118i with the zf 8 speed is a very nice car. The sport model on standard rubber would be my choice.

[Willy Nilly]

steve-5snwi said:

If you can find one a 118i with the zf 8 speed is a very nice car. The sport model on standard rubber would be my choice.

OP wants a small car.

[steve-5snwi]

Willy Nilly said:

OP wants a small car.

A 1 series would be similar in size to a Leon, if it needs to be small then a Suzuki Swift would be my choice, it's one of the only small cars to have a proper torque converter gearbox.