If you have a cheap reliable car what is it?

[LoveKingGary]

We are in need of a second car and looking for a fairly cheap runaround. We do have 3 children so it can't be miniscule but our main car is quite big so happy for a much smaller one.

Looking for something economical to run. What do you drive and is it economical?

I'd been thinking something about 2017 or newer but don't have a fixed idea. Budget around £10k? Not sure. Less if possible..!

Dacia Sanderos are awesome. I've had 3. Love them!

I have always driven a Ford Focus. Retired now, but as an on call hospital doctor I needed a reliable car that would do 110mph on emergency call outs and never let me down. In the last 20 years I’ve never needed a repair or had a breakdown on any of my Focuses, just MOTs. I buy new and trade them in when they are about 4 or 5 years old. Plenty of space for the kids and suitcases etc on holidays too.

But don't forget to check the NCAP safety ratings too OP.

Some cars are cheap for a reason. The Dacia Duster is mentioned a lot but only has a 3 star safety rating. I wouldn't be happy with that.

Our runaround is a Kia Niro - it's a good option and I feel safe driving the kids around in it. Also look at a VW polo.

We have a Skoda Rapid. It's a 1.2, but it's economical, cheap to insure, good on fuel and easily seats 5 with a decent sized boot. We've had it 9 years from new, and had very few issues with it

Hyundai i10. It’s my favourite car that I’ve ever had. Small, but you can get 3 kids in the back, and cheap to run.

Vauxhall Corsa.
I've had three, they have always been a reasonable price to buy second hand, cheap to run and reliable.
We have a 2005 reg that is still going strong, being driven every day by a Ukrainian guest.
I've recently passed my last Corsa (2017 reg) on to my daughter and bought a Ford Fiesta, which I also love, but it's much more expensive to buy second hand than a comparable Corsa and has a lower spec - unless you can afford the top of the range.

Smart for four. It is bloody brilliant.

My Honda Jazz fits three kids in the back (2rf, 1ff) and has been super reliable!

We've just got a ford fiesta as our cheap second car. They are small but not tiny. The 1.0 petrol engine is zero tax

PILs have a Skoda citigo but you can't get 3 people in the back so I'd avoid if you have 2 adults and 3 kids.

Hyundai i10

Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto - unbeatable value for money and reliability plus 5 or 7 year warranty

Toyota Yaris.

Skoda Rapid. Skodas built by VW so you get the same quality but without the same price tag. Safe and reliable. We love ours.

I have a Vauxhall Astra, it’s pretty cheap to run, repair etc, and (touch wood) pretty robust! Mine is 13 years old now and still going without a hitch. Had it since new. I’m hoping to get another few years out of it at least.

I bought a low mileage second hand Renault Clio three years ago and its been the best drive I've ever had.

Honda Jazz, plenty of space and incredibly reliable.

Vauxhall Corsa, had mine 10 years and no problems. 2 sensors for different things needed resetting/replacing but that’s all. Fantastic little runaround and quite nippy on the motorway.

Yeah, wouldn't touch a Dacia with a barge pole, really poor for safety.

citreon cactus, so far so good

We've had 5 Hyundais over the years and they've all been very reliable. I suspect we'll never buy another brand of car!

We have two Skoda's in our house- an Octavia and a Rapid.
Both brought brand new about 5 years ago and other than services they've never been near a garage. Never any issue, lots of mod cons included as standard. Comfortable, affordable and reliable.

Bear in mind that often with 'solid' brand you'll pay a premium for the badges.
Skoda is wholly owned and produced alongside VW cars.

www.johnhughes.com.au/blog/car-brands-and-their-parent-companies

Skoda Octavia. The local taxi rank is full of them, which I take to be a good sign of being cheap to run and reliable.

Definitely a Mazda! I have had a mix of new and used: an mx5, 3 Mazda 3s and a cx5 and had no issues. I have had a brand new Renault and an older Renault and had nothing but issues with both of them. I couldn't wait to swap the Renault for a Mazda

I'm a big fan of Fiestas but now have a Hyundai i10 which is cheap to run and has been super reliable over 7 years. When I got it I needed doors in the back and couldn't find that model of Fiesta for my budget, the i10 ticked every box and has been great.

I have a 5dr Seat Ibiza, which has been a great car. You might need a larger model but I wouldn’t hesitate at buying a Seat again