Good second hand family car for under £15000

[Mauket]

We are expecting our second DC soon and looking to upgrade to a family car. We currently have a small really old car which seems to be constantly breaking down and all of the boot space is taken up by a stroller.

Any recommendations for a second-hand family car with a large boot space for under £15000? Are 7 seaters worth purchasing?

We've managed three with two car seats in a mini before (5 door) the trick is picking small car seats. You can also do one car seat in the front and HBB plus two adults in the back.

I've looked at a Q4 and MG HS recently and they both seem huge.

Zafira. Ugly AF but does the job.

Skoda Kodiaq is a great seven seater; we've never regretted the extra space! Incredibly reliable and my absolute favourite as it doesn't look huge with the back seats down so you don't feel like you're driving a bus if you don't have a full car. Before that we had a Kia Carens which was also good, though not as reliable, a Zafira (bursts into flames so not ideal but lovely car) and a Mitsubishi spacewagon which was lovely and very steady.

I drove a hire car that was a Superb. I was amazed by what a great car it is. If they’d had a hybrid I would have bought it.

We have a Skoda Octavia which was nearly-new and cost around that when we bought it 4yrs ago. We all love the car, I don't drive but was attempting to learn in it for awhile and found that fine. DH finds it good to drive, it's a tiny bit long but we both didn't/don't find it particularly difficult to park. The main reason we bought it though is it has a HUGE boot space. Everyone always comments on it when they see it! Perfect for UK holidays with the kids (we have 2 and expecting #3 now).

Honda CRV - like a Tardis and will last for years.

Just to say on this I can fit in the middle back seat between my two DC but it is not comfortable and wouldn't do it for a long journey. One is in a rear facing car seat and the other in a HBB, but I'm not tall and only a size 8.

We have a Skoda Octavia, it's a great car with a HUGE boot, but you can't fit an extra person in the back with 2 car seats.

I think a compact 7 seater might be a good choice if you want the option to take extra people sometimes.

I'd look for a Skoda Kodiaq if you can find one within budget.
https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/kodiaq/estate/used-review/n954

I have just bought a Vauxhall Grandland, very spacious with a big boot.

You have lots of choice for £15000. I’d research by looking at used car reviews ( What Car etc).

@MandyMotherOfBrian I have a Honda FRV and it's been great but getting on in years now. I wish they were still making the FRV. Hoping it will do me a couple more years, saving up now for the next Honda and may well get a CRV.

I bought a Qashquai +2 about this time last year for £6000~. They stopped making the +2 model in 2013, but it was important to me to have those additional 2 seats. Toyota Verso is similar and pretty comfy, I just preferred the Q.

We had a Zafira a few years ago - as someone else says, not attractive but they are bloody good and really comfortable to drive. Ours was an X reg so basically got too expensive to repair, but I'd have another one.

Just remember that it might cost you quite a lot more in insurance and fuel for a 7 seater. We went from the Zafira to a Fiesta and then to the Qashquai and the difference was considerable in each direction!

PS both the Q and the Z have 3 full size seats across the back; the Q the fold down seats are full size but not too much leg room, the Z they are full size and loads of leg room. Never heard of the 'bursting into flames' issue!