Advice on a secondhand car

[Kai1981]

I want to buy a nearly new second hand car outright.

Not overly bothered about brand but am tempted to get something a bit more premium if I can. Just need a city run around (so compact, but bigger than a VW Polo).

Looking at most reliable brands, these seem to include Audi, Lexus, Merc and VW.

6k miles or so a year, would like a few mod cons like Sat Nav, parking sensors, heated and/or leather seats, electric mirrors etc.

Which car would be best for me, taking into account things like the costs of fixes (I think Merc and Audi will be pricey for repairs)? Or it is less likely to need repairs because of the quality of the car? And which card hold value best?

What's your budget? Do you want electric how many people do you have kids, a dog not enough info here to help you

If you like VW, look at Seat or Skoda. Same platform, cheaper price.

Or Japanese - Toyota, Mazda.

What car website does really good in depth reviews-which also cover reliability and repair costs

In my experience, Audi servicing is expensive.

Please can you also add a post to my thread https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/site_stuff/4790903-board-for-questions-about-cars to comment about the potential demand for a board for threads like this?

I'm in a similar position and will watch replies here with interest. Looking for a small city car and would like to know if there's a good plug-in-hybrid in that category that people would recommend.

Thanks!

Sorry, up to £20k. Not necessarily worried about cheaper in terms of brand, but would like a reliable car that holds value, especially with the market the way it is.

Usually just me driving around! So city runaround is fine, don’t want anything bigger.

Open to electric but hybrid or petrol is better.

Toyota Corolla. Mine’s a 2004 model and very convenient and easy to drive (I’m on P plates, it’s only the third car I’ve driven). Easy to get repairs and parts for, compact enough it hides behind bigger cars in car parks!

Thanks will take a look at that those too!

I have an Aygo, zero road tax and under £200 to insure fully comp extremely reliable I had it from 6 months old. It's a 16 plate and had nothing wrong except tyres and usual wear and tear.

Looking at most reliable brands, these seem to include Audi, Lexus, Merc and VW.

Audi, Merc and VW are no better than average for reliability, completely different league to Lexus who are pretty much unbeatable.

Honda Jazz is holding its own in terms of value. Excellent little run about, so reliable and economical to run. Huge boot space and back sets for down to give even more

Speak to local dealers about ex demo cars. I had one some years ago. The forecourt depreciation had already happened so I got what I wanted at a very reasonable price.

Take a look at Mini, great for running around town, really speedy little cars, luxury brand and pretty reasonable running costs. Plus really fun and you have the usual comfort and safety of a German car with it having a lot of BMW under the hood.
Merc would be my other recommendation along with BMW. Reliable, comfortable and beautiful.
Look around for a local garage who specialise in the manufacturer you go with. And buy approved used if you can.
Have fun shopping and test driving!

All my cars are 6 months old when bought from a dealership. Best way to buy a car personally. You can test drive them as you'd be surprised how different the same model can be. Still has warranty and you can usually buy a 3/4 year service package too. Which is much cheaper.

Toyota, MG and Kia all have 7 year warranties, Hyundai has a 5 year one the rest only have a paltry 3 year. Kia and Hyundai are the same company with a few tweaks to make the cars seem different. VW is the same company as Skoda and Seat same with Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhall (as well as DS, Fiat, Alfa Romeo etc) there are lots of shared parts across the ranges.

The issue with buying an "almost new" car is why is it on the market? Some companies get their cars out to those who work in the industry and then they get a new one again 6 months down the line as company cars. This ensures there are these cars available to be on the market and gets them seen and out there. Some are upgrades on PCP when they trade in early, some are fleet cars and some are lemons.

I would always suggest getting an independent mechanic report done on any car you are buying. Costs about £200 and well worth the investment. Big companies like AA and RAC do them, they can check things I cannot. Just because a car is relatively new does not make it free from issues. Also if there is a problem with the car it is a qualified mechanic who has raised it, not someone with no mechanical background.

I bought a brand new car recently because it wasn't that much more expensive than a under 1 year old one. You can get them to bid for your custom. no haggling inside a dealership. I used Car Wow but there are lots out there. You say what car you want, make and model and you then get emails with price reductions. I used the lowest priced one to approach my local garage to see if they would match it and they did.

Some great tips and advice here. Thank you!

Sorry @Inkypot, Minis just aren’t my thing for some reason. I know I’m in the minority though. Will take a look at the other options though.

If reliability is your number one priority, buy a Toyota or a Honda.

DO NOT, under any circumstances, buy a Land Rover or a Jaguar, unless you want to become very familiar with public transport, whilst they're inevitably off the road.