Expert answer

Hi Evelyn,

Actually, the Hyundai ix20 might be just the thing you're looking for. It's smaller and cheaper to run than a Golf, and that 1.4 diesel engine is very economical, and will actually prove more powerful to drive than the Golf. Others worth considering are the Citroen C3 Picasso or Ford B-Max, both of which can be had with either petrol or diesel power. Try a 1.0-litre turbo petrol B-Max actually - great fun to drive and you won't believe the power and performance Ford can get from its new downsized 1.0-litre engine.

Let us know how you get on

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Hi Tom,

The Citroen will be cheaper to run (it has a 1.6 diesel engine compared to the S-Max's 2.0-litre unit), but if you can afford the slightly higher tax and fuel bills, I'd go for the Ford. It's better built, more spacious and much nicer to drive.

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Hi Richard,

The Alhambra would be my choice here. A budget of €6,000 won't get you the current model, but it should find you an old one and they're still good. SEAT's reliability is pretty solid and you should be able to find one at a lower mileage than an equivalently priced (and mechanically identical) Ford Galaxy. 

It would be worth keeping an eye out for a Ford S-Max too, though €6,000 is the very, very bottom end for S-Max prices, but keep your eyes peeled and haggle hard and you might just land a nice one. 

And, as I always advise anyone looking for a seven-seater, there's always the option of a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate with extra seats in the boot...

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Hi Mary,

Quite close overall in terms of practicality and economy. Both are in Band A for motor tax, both are less than terrific to drive, but then that's endemic to the breed. The Citroen is certainly the more stylish and comfy, the Kia is maybe slightly better built and, of course, comes with that seven-year warranty.

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Hi John,

Yup, a small diesel sounds like it should be ideal for you. Depending on what kind or size of car you need I'd recommend either a MINI Cooper D 1.6 (small and sporty), Opel Astra 1.3 CDTi (slower, but more spacious), Toyota Auris 1.4 D-4D (similar to Opel but probably more reliable) or that old favourite the Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI BlueMotion (ultra economical). Or, if you need more space how about a Skoda Octavia Combi estate 1.6 TDI or a Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6 HDi?

Help us with your needs and we'll narrow that down a little!

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Hi Anne,

Decent little car actually - peppy to drive and, thanks to being built in cooperation with Toyota, really reliable. 

Problems? Well there's not much room in the back seats and the boot is also pretty small. Also, if you're considering a small city car with a '141' reg, have a good hard look at a Volkswagen up! before you decide.

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Hi Eddy,

I presume you mean the last, rather than current generation. Quite a nice car, actually, majoring on comfort and economy rather than pin-sharp handling and there's that fixed-hub steering wheel and central digital instruments to liven up the cabin. 

Best version to go for is either of the 1.6 or 1.4 HDi diesel models - the 1.4 petrol is just not up to scratch, although the rare 1.6-litre petrol Sebastian Loeb rally edition is worth seeking out as a rare slice of warm hatch - if that's your sort of thing.

In terms of reliability, it's a bit of a mixed bag. There are no huge mechanical issues, but you've got to watch for electrical glitches in the speed limiter and cruise control systems and keep an eye out for disintegrating cabin trim. 

You also have to make sure that all five of the safety recalls have been carried out, including ones for electrical fires, poor brake performance and faulty airbags.

Expert answer

Hi George,

By and large, if you’ve got a Volkswagen on a list, then it’s going to be the most reliable, and the Caddy is hugely spacious inside too. However, most vans are generally very reliable (simply because a van that’s off the road isn’t earning money), so as long as you’re buying carefully and with a full and complete service history, you should be fine with any of those listed.

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Hi Brian,

The second-gen C5's a pretty solidly built car actually, with only electrics and suspension causing regular problems. Check and make sure all the buttons and switches work properly, listen for any clonking noises from underneath and as long as it has a full service history, you should be OK.

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Hi Peter,

OK, you've a couple of good options here. There are five-seat versions of the Citroen C4 Picasso and Renault Scenic that are slightly less bulky than the seven-seat models and which will easily take three car seats across the back. Or you could try one of our very favourite cars of all, the Skoda Yeti, which has just about enough width to fit all three seats in the back. My best advice is to make sure you bring the kids and seats on any test drives you might be doing and make sure that all three fit and that the bigger ones can happily clamber up into their perches.

Let us know how you get on.