Best workhorse estate for under £2k? - PD130?

[lukeJay]

I'm looking to buy an estate car for work. I'm an electrical engineer so it'll be a lot of long drives full of kit in the rear.
I've got a budget of around £2k.

I've heard great things about the PD130 engine so I've naturally been looking into Passats. I'm quite new to the PD world. are some models better than others? and which car models had that engine? Any pointers would be great!

Are there any other worthy contenders? I had a VW caddy at my last job which I loved - I'm just glad I didn't have to pay for the injectors.

The most important things for me are reliability and decent fuel economy. It seems to me that the newer the vehicle, the less reliable so I've been thinking of Passats around the 2005 year. I'm happy to hear any and all suggestions though. Thanks in advance!

(P.s See my other thread for an introduction)

[EW109]

Skoda Octavia.

[lukeJay]

EW109 said:

Skoda Octavia.

Thanks. any particular year/models that i should look out for or avoid?

[ChocolateFrog]

Standard answer is the P2 Volvo V70 D5.

Although the VAG PD engine are also pretty unburstable.

[ExPat2B]

I have to say there is not much out there...workhorse estates are high priced at the moment due to the values of vans.

I struggle to really recommend anything, not great cars around at this price - a 1.9 2005 Passat will have around 135,000 miles at your budget and lots of things that are not the engine will be wearing out. You might get lucky, might not. Active parts scene so if you are handy could probably fix most things.

In the market I found :

Lots of room in these but the engine doesn't have the same reputation as the VW PD
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105253...

Kia's very beige offering.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201812063...

Saab 1.9TDI with I think the same engine as the Vectra.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107134...

[ExPat2B]

ChocolateFrog said:

Standard answer is the P2 Volvo V70 D5.

Although the VAG PD engine are also pretty unburstable.

Have you seen the prices recently ? There is precisely one on Autotrader under 150,000 miles under 2k, and its got 146,000 miles.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107205...

[Scottie - NW]

Mazda 6 SL 2.2

My daily still going strong, 2009 one with 160k miles. SL is the spec above the sport, has all the toys, no cam belt to worry about and drives better than the other offerings. Available for 2k and is between 3 and 5 series estate size.

[ChocolateFrog]

ExPat2B said:

ChocolateFrog said:

Standard answer is the P2 Volvo V70 D5.

Although the VAG PD engine are also pretty unburstable.

Have you seen the prices recently ? There is precisely one on Autotrader under 150,000 miles under 2k, and its got 146,000 miles.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107205...

TBF I haven't.

Mine was £1100 about 5 or 6 years ago.

I definitely wouldn't be put off by one with over 200k on the clock and even one with 300k on as long as it has been looked after.

They will run and run. I'd rather have a 300k mile V70 than many other options at 100k.

[Jim Spencer]

Toyota Avenis, boring as whale 5hit but as bullet proof as you'll get at your budget.

[MustangGT]

EW109 said:

Skoda Octavia.

This, all the time. There is a reason why taxi drivers love them.

[ant427]

Jim Spencer said:

Toyota Avenis, boring as whale 5hit but as bullet proof as you'll get at your budget.

Yep, cashed in my 2011 E91 LCI for a 2007 Avensis estate petrol. 1 wheel bearing in 3 years and consumables. also not a single fault code so thats refreshing. I would drive this anywhere without fear of a breakdown.

[anonymous-user]

Don't confuse the 1.9 130 PD with the later 1.9 105 engine as they are not the same. The later 1.9 105 BXE engine likes to poke a conrod through the block.

[boyse7en]

Honda Accord Tourer 2.2CDTi?

Boot is huge - slightly bigger than my previous Saab 9-5 estate.

Mine is now on 150k (bought with 120k) and its needed tyres and a two front suspension joints (but i live down a very bumpy rural lane, so i suspect that takes its toll on ball joints)

[SuperPav]

With the current used car price situation, anything you get for £2k (other than possibly a petrol Avensis) will really be a pot luck. Not a lot of choice unfortunately.

Octavias/Passats and V70s will easily go several hundred k miles, but may have any number of components go/need replacing at any point with the mileage you'll be looking at.

[Deranged Rover]

Mondeo TDCi

[Pixel Pusher]

Left-field and I know you said estate but...... Sharan / Alhambra?

Removable rear seats and with all 5 out it's almost a van.

[TwistingMyMelon]

130pds were getting old and tired about 7 years ago I wouldnt fancy one now . I bought one and it was fairly reliable but loads went wrong and loads of bodge jobsover the years

I'd buy a Japanese or Mondeo petrol estate

You might loose 10mpg but not have to put up with a skeleton knocking one off in a filing cabinet under the bonnet and they are pretty easy to fix when they go wrong

Or this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353535655348?hash=item5...

Simple, drives nicely and lots of space

[BuzzBravado]

boyse7en said:

Honda Accord Tourer 2.2CDTi?

Boot is huge - slightly bigger than my previous Saab 9-5 estate.

Mine is now on 150k (bought with 120k) and its needed tyres and a two front suspension joints (but i live down a very bumpy rural lane, so i suspect that takes its toll on ball joints)

I would echo this, but also say you need to look for rust now. 05-07's are now a bit hit or miss with terminal corrosion.

[anonymous-user]

TwistingMyMelon said:

130pds were getting old and tired about 7 years ago I wouldnt fancy one now . I bought one and it was fairly reliable but loads went wrong and loads of bodge jobsover the years

What makes me laugh is people say PD with pride, as if VW came up with some amazing technology when designing this engine. It is out of the ark, it is not even common rail!

[Jaguar steve]

Skoda Roomster with the 1.4 PD engine doubles up nicely as a small van and will do 65 MPG all day long.