Small petrol Japanese?

[Ian Geary]

Hi all,

Helping the mother in law with a replacement for her 62 plate Micra. Newer than 2017/ less than £10k, comfort and reliability over performance etc.

I was sticking to the small, petrol, Japanese mantra I see on here from to time.

She test drive a 2018 plate Juke with a "non turbo" 1.2 engine (according to the salesman) which she really liked.

However, a bit of goggling shows this car has the 1.2 dig-t engine (t standing for turbo) and from the Google headlines I can see, this engine is one to be avoided.

So i have a couple of questions please

- would people agree that this Renault/ Nissan engine is best avoided? Or is this a case of a few Internet horror stories skewing opinion?

- any alternatives cars people would rate?

- the dealer also had a 2017 fiesta with the 1.25 zetec engine. Would this stand up well against Japanese cars on a reliability basis? (Given the zetec engine is well proven)

Thanks

[66HFM]

Toyota Aygo if you're looking for a small Japanese car

[bitchstewie]

Depends what you call "small" but I have a 2023 Mazda 2 which is 1.5L without any turbo or any "fancy" stuff and it's absolutely perfect IMO for what it is i.e. small cheap and chips to run and very very blandly ordinary in a good way.

[ZX10R NIN]

Kia Rio First Edition:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508145...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506203...

i20 Element:

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

Play:

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

[Matt_T]

I think that the 1.0 DIG-T and the 1.6 engine are the most reliable, the 1.2 has timing chain issues? Maybe someone will confirm?

It it was my choice I'd stick with a Toyota or Honda.

Edited by Matt_T on Friday 15th August 17:50

[Terzo123]

My MIL has a Nissan Note. Its actually a very decent wee car with lots of room inside. You could get a 2017 plate one for reasonable money.

A Honda jazz would be another option

[bitchstewie]

Jazz are expensive.

Might have missed something but it absolutely shocked me when I saw how much they are for a "small" car v everything else.

[Snow and Rocks]

Yaris every time.

My MIL has had a 2014 from new and we've not even had to change a bulb.

[Auto810graphy]

Would recommend the latest small Toyotas. They are still a brand that still looks after customers and have proven technology.

We placed lots of Hyundai Bayon’s to a care company as they seemed good on paper but quite a few are faulting at 3 years old and the dealers have long booking times so best avoid these despite them looking cheap.

[Ankh87]

Suzuki Swift or Ignis maybe?

[InitialDave]

My vote is Yaris.

[Torquey]

I'd first go with:
Toyota yaris
Mazda 2
Honda jazz
Suzuki swift

Then maybe even a Hyundai i20/Kia rio/fiesta 1.25

But far far lower down the list would be a Nissan.

[Matt_T]

There are some quirky little Hondas and Toyotas around...

[dontlookdown]

Torquey said:

I'd first go with:
Toyota yaris
Mazda 2
Honda jazz
Suzuki swift

Then maybe even a Hyundai i20/Kia rio/fiesta 1.25

But far far lower down the list would be a Nissan.

This is a good line up.

[Ian Geary]

Thanks everyone - i appreciate your help.

[ThingsBehindTheSun]

Yes, the Renault/Nissan 1.2 engine is terrible, some car dealers I watch on YouTube will not touch them.

Timing chains and burning oil are two of the main problems.

If you want Japanese I would not get a Nissan as they share lots of parts with Renault.

[CaptainScarlet1967]

Ian Geary said:

Or is this a case of a few Internet horror stories skewing opinion?

With many an engine, drivetrain etc, IMO it is usually this, recycled again and again on the Internet and social media, not helped by clueless people calling themselves mechanics or pseudo-experts often itching to add their tuppence-worth of negativity.

The majority who don't experience horror stories or have positive experiences will usually be the minority in such circumstances and are out and about, driving without issue or the to need to take to the Internet.

It has always been this way with automotive consumers, critics and 'mechanics' when you think about it (and despite the nostalgia of classic motoring given today's classics were yesterday's bangers), hence why in some places like the UK vehicles have always been disposable white goods.

Proper maintenance and upkeep by competent actual mechanics is something many do not want to do or spend on.

[Snow and Rocks]

Or just buy something without a serious built in engineering flaw - sure no car is completely perfect but that doesn't mean you should just ignore the fact that a fairly sizeable number of Ford Ecoboosts blow themselves up or that no end of Land Rovers end up sitting at the side of the road with a broken crank.

I can just about see the point in taking the risk with a Range Rover because the vehicle is actually special but buying a Nissan or Ford with a crap reliability record over a Yaris really isn't in that category.

[Venisonpie]

Auto810graphy said:

Would recommend the latest small Toyotas. They are still a brand that still looks after customers and have proven technology.

We placed lots of Hyundai Bayon’s to a care company as they seemed good on paper but quite a few are faulting at 3 years old and the dealers have long booking times so best avoid these despite them looking cheap.

This all day long.

[Composite Guru]

Toyota Aygo. My missus has had 2 of them. Brilliant cars.

Yaris would be a good bet if she wants bigger and hybrid. Obviously only has auto option though.

Edited by Composite Guru on Sunday 17th August 10:13