What's the PH approved shed estate car for hauling stuff?

[Acuity30]

In shed fashion, must be cheap to buy, pennies to repair/service and cheap tax/insurance and not too thirsty. I was thinking an old Skoda Octavia diesel? Mostly for throwing a large frame MTB in the boot, or moving a 65 inch tv from one house to another, things of that nature.

[RazerSauber]

Zafira is usually a strong shout. A Vectra C estate will swallow a mountain of stuff as well. Both buttons to buy and nowhere near as bad to drive or own as Clarkson would have you think.

[AmyRichardson]

RazerSauber said:

Zafira is usually a strong shout. A Vectra C estate will swallow a mountain of stuff as well. Both buttons to buy and nowhere near as bad to drive or own as Clarkson would have you think.

Seconded. Skodas seem to have a particular allure in terms of the sort of people who buy second hand estate cars, but no such premium will apply to Vauxhall products, indeed they seem to invariably be a couple of serious garage-visits cheaper than anything equivalent.

[Monkeylegend]

Look no further

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Saleen836]

Astra H estate 1.7 diesel, cheap to fix and very cheap to run (50+ mpg)

[Mr E]

Vectra/mondeo/9-5

[georgeyboy12345]

Me, I'd go for a Focus estate. Pick one of the 1.8 or 2 litre engines that use the Mazda L engine. These use a timing chain and are usually good for well over 200,000 miles. Here is a selection:

Private sale for £900
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412036...

This one comes with an MOT until next November and the dealer is even chucking in one years AA cover
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411156...

2 litre model with an auto gearbox and low mileage
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412187...


Other ideas

Kia Ceed 1.6 Sport Wagon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412026...


Toyota Avensis 1.8 VVT-i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406180...

[MiniMan64]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Me, I'd go for a Focus estate. Pick one of the 1.8 or 2 litre engines that use the Mazda L engine. These use a timing chain and are usually good for well over 200,000 miles. Here is a selection:

Private sale for £900
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412036...

This one comes with an MOT until next November and the dealer is even chucking in one years AA cover
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411156...

2 litre model with an auto gearbox and low mileage
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412187...


Other ideas

Kia Ceed 1.6 Sport Wagon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412026...


Toyota Avensis 1.8 VVT-i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406180...

Aren’t they all a little on the small size?

If I was looking for estates to swallow a huge load it would be a Skoda all day long

[georgeyboy12345]

MiniMan64 said:

georgeyboy12345 said:

Me, I'd go for a Focus estate. Pick one of the 1.8 or 2 litre engines that use the Mazda L engine. These use a timing chain and are usually good for well over 200,000 miles. Here is a selection:

Private sale for £900
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412036...

This one comes with an MOT until next November and the dealer is even chucking in one years AA cover
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411156...

2 litre model with an auto gearbox and low mileage
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412187...


Other ideas

Kia Ceed 1.6 Sport Wagon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412026...


Toyota Avensis 1.8 VVT-i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406180...

Aren’t they all a little on the small size?

If I was looking for estates to swallow a huge load it would be a Skoda all day long

Focus is smaller than the Octavia by about 100 litres, but it still has a huge load space of over 500 litres with the seats up and 1500 litres with the seats down. The load length is only about 10 cm shorter than the Octavia and the load space is actually wider by over 10 cm, the sill is also lower to the ground so will be easier to load.

Also, most Octavias will be broken or MOT failures, etc at shed money. I'd be wanting to spend a little more to get a decent one.

[anonymous-user]

Renault Scenic, the back seats are fully removable which basically turns it into a van.

[OutInTheShed]

Whatever comes your way at a good price, that you like the look of.

A lot of shed estates have had terrible lives, I found a lot for sale which were quite sordid and people wanted real money for them.

I'd rather buy a reasonably clean car for a good price from a reasonable person, than chase around looking for the model everyone recommends, finding a lot of grubby overpriced stuff after driving miles.

So, anything from an Alfa Sportwagon to some random French people carrier, right price, right place, right time?

Obviously do a bit of filtering regarding what tax, insurance, thirst and (lack of) performance you can live with, and decide if you need ULEZ or not.

[ALawson]

Honda Accord Tourer up to 2007, I sold mine for £500 with 2 weeks mot and it passed with a new bulb.

Massive space and the petrol or diesel are reliable.

[FlabbyMidgets]

V70 D5 would be my choice, something like this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305876765104?mkcid=16&a...

[Davie]

FlabbyMidgets said:

V70 D5 would be my choice, something like this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305876765104?mkcid=16&a...

Yes, that's sort of peak V70 D5 as it's the earlier "black top" 163bhp engine with less emission control and it has the 5 speed manual, arguably a more solid choice than the at time problematic Geartronic. Peak V70 D5 is that car mechanically but with the sort of 2005 era facelift.

[MattsCar]

Kia CEED 1.6 CRDI is a very good choice.

No real common faults with them and can get incredible MPG.

Little 15" wheels and cheap consumables make them very cheap to run.

Also, not inferior to an Astra/ Focus in terms of build quality/interior. However, a Focus will handle better.

[DorsetSparky]

Davie said:

Yes, that's sort of peak V70 D5 as it's the earlier "black top" 163bhp engine with less emission control and it has the 5 speed manual, arguably a more solid choice than the at time problematic Geartronic. Peak V70 D5 is that car mechanically but with the sort of 2005 era facelift.

I accidentally bought one of these exact cars when I was trading cars, and it was the best daily I've ever had. 05-plate with nearly all the options (including nav, upgraded speakers, upgraded seats, folding wing mirrors etc etc) but with the black top engine. Miss it most days!

[rhamnousia5]

A lot of the suggestions come with hefty annual road tax, when low road tax was one of key bits of criteria.

I’d be looking on condition and mileage at anything and everything that’s under budget and make the road tax a key search. Two years road tax at £300 makes a £1k shed an expensive car to run, whereas a £1800 shed with £35 annual car tax opens up more choice and a potentially newer / lower mileage car.

This jumped out at me, although the DPF delete does make me think there’s a problem getting this through an MOT.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024122475...

[ALawson]

rhamnousia5 said:

A lot of the suggestions come with hefty annual road tax, when low road tax was one of key bits of criteria.

I’d be looking on condition and mileage at anything and everything that’s under budget and make the road tax a key search. Two years road tax at £300 makes a £1k shed an expensive car to run, whereas a £1800 shed with £35 annual car tax opens up more choice and a potentially newer / lower mileage car.

This jumped out at me, although the DPF delete does make me think there’s a problem getting this through an MOT.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024122475...

You won’t be able to insure it.

[rhamnousia5]

ALawson said:

You won’t be able to insure it.

Why? I wouldn’t know if a car had that done unless there’s some sort of warning that comes up on the dah or in the info screen. I know the seller is telling you it, but would you know without them being so honest?

Edited by rhamnousia5 on Thursday 26th December 14:17

[ALawson]

said:

Because you will need to declare the DPF delete. I suppose you can insure it and not tell them, what could go wrong in the event of a claim. It’s probably why it’s being sold as seen.