Which new (to me) car for 12k?

[Apolitia]

Currently driving an ultra reliable but ancient, small Japanese car.

Single parent, do about 8k miles a year and this will probably increase to around 10k over the next few years for various reasons relating to elderly care and not being able to afford overseas holidays involving flights in the next few years.

my lovely mum has offered me some money toward a newer car and I’m considering a Skoda Kamiq, or Seat Arona or some form of used Kia or Toyota because of the warranties. Would love a RAV-4 but I don’t think I can run to a decent one. Used car obviously.

Budget is 12k or thereabouts.

essentials in descending order of importance are:

-reliability, cost of repairs and running costs
-insurance costs (I live on a main road with no off road parking so £££)
-space: dog and two hulking teens
-comfort for long drives. We will be doing at least 2 1200km journeys each year
-needs to have a warranty/ consumer protection, so needs to come from a dealer, I can’t chance a private sale.
—needs to be ULEZ exempt and not electric or hybrid unless the battery is just a ‘nice to have’. Bitter experience of being stung for a replacement battery for a MHEV in the past.

I don’t care much about looks, power or styling but would appreciate a decent music system.

also why does mumsnet not have a car section? I’m not asking pistonheads 😂

Yep, not looking at very recent cars. Happy with a 2018 plate if with a very extended warranty like Toyota (100k or 10 years, whichever sooner) but I don’t think Honda offer that. Can’t stress enough how risk averse/ cash poor i am. For context, I pay through nose for lifetime gold plated dog insurance because there is no cash reserve. Same for cars, if my vehicle fails I am going to be totally done over.

looked at PCP but it seems such a stupid way to finance transport - like hire cars with more catches.

Definitely a Skoda, maybe an Octavia? I drive a Superb Combi (an estate) but I've had two Octavia previously, good boot space and leg room. Totally reliable, comfortable and just lovely to drive.

I can totally see the appeal. I’ve had a small car for years and it’s been just as good as a bigger car. Plus the warranty is a major selling point.

sadly I don’t think a picanto would work for us because sometimes I have to transport dog+ my two kids + friends. And selfishly, honestly, can’t face a 800km drive in a micro mini. I know they are actually ok, I’ve driven a really small car some pretty punishing distances in the past 3 years. Im starting to feel my age a bit, 50, and want decent suspension and a bit of room.

Do not care about having a SUV. Just need a reliable, efficient, spacious car.

thanks for your comments.

@Apolitia Nothing wrong with risk averse. And I stand by saying Japanese, Petrol and Manual are the way to go. Im not convinced by the smaller engines with turbos but thats just me. Japanese do not make good diesels except for the Honda Civic 1.6 which is well reputed. Toyota and Mazda diesels are bad.

For £12k you can get a Toyota CHR but they will be 2017 from the Toyota used car network. It'll be a little 1.2 petrol turbo. You'd struggle to get a Corolla, but the older Auris is available. Maybe save some of your budget and get one of the last Auris.

Toyota are pretty unique on their 10 year warranty if you service them there. And their main dealers arent too bad on price.

Mazda 3 is my fave of all these criteria. 2 litre petrol. The smaller CX3 may fit the bill but CX5 too expensive. Do not go near a 2.2 diesel by Mazda.

Honda do the old Civic (Pre 2018) which is a reliable car with the 1.8 petrol or 1.6 diesel. The Jazz and HRV are still available from that era too. 1.5 petrol. No turbos.

Nissan arent really Japanese as they are a joint venture with Renault. That said the 1.3 turbo Qashqai or even Renault Kadjar is worth a look. Its essentially the same car underneath. Do not go for the 1.2 petrol as its a dog. And dont go near a Juke. You get newer with a 1.3 Qashqai/Kadjar and possibly more space for the family for your money but I'd only get one with a decent main dealer warranty.

My daughter was considering a Picanto recently, but decided she'd rather have something a bit bigger so went for a Stonic instead.

She paid £14k for a 3 yr old car with very low mileage from a main Kia dealer, and is very pleased with it.

Oh and as for the Koreans, Kia and Hyundai, its the same parent company but Hyundai are cheaper. A 1.4 turbo i30 is a possibility. Its a powerful enough car. Avoid the 1.0 3 cylinder turbo.

Ive heard the old 1.6 engines are poor.

https://www.drivemotorretail.co.uk/used-vehicle-details/used-hyundai-i30-14t-gdi-se-nav-5dr-hatchback-hatchback-metallic-stargazing-blue-manual-petrol/id-87353169270/

These are a safe enough bet, as good as the Japanese and in budget. If you have a Hyundai dealer nearby its worth a look.

Big dog. Small person-sized. Should have got a Yorkie or a cocker or something sensible but we love the dog…

on the other hand the very long journeys with lots of luggage/ shopping for relatives missing UK produce are without the dog (but probably all the dog space taken up by bikes, HP sauce. Heinz baked beans, 48 x packs of drugs they can’t buy freely in their country of residence such as ibuprofen, paracetamol and suppositories 😂)

We have a Kamiq and v happy with it. Replaced a Yeti. It is a smaller SUV type.
Roomier than an Arona.

I'm in a similar position with a similar budget, can't get most of these suggestions for that price where I am unless you are buying 8-10 years old and 100k on the clock

This is so helpful. Thank you.
off to look at Mazda 3s which I hadn’t considered till now. Market seems very geared toward your smallish SUV but not really bothered about car shape :/

Mazda are old fashioned in that they kept big engines. The Mazda 3 changed in 2019 and you prob wont get that newer shape in budget.
Perhaps look at the 2018 models but aim for the most basic models, like the SE. The sport ones will cost more and just have bigger alloys and more bits to go wrong.

Dont discount those 1.4 Hyundai i30s either. They're a decent car for the money and very Japanese in their styling and interior.

Reckon we are literally the peak second-hand-car buying market.

for 12k you can definitely get a Seat Arona, Skoda Kamiq, Toyota Aygo/Aygo X, Suzuki Vitara, a really good Honda jazz (albeit probably too small), some Ford family cars, all with under 50k on the clock and less than 5 years old. Main dealers obviously hike up the price but if you buy from them you are protected by consumer law. If you buy privately you’re f**d if anything goes wrong once you drive away from their address.

I've got a hyundai IX20 and if is fantastic. Really spacious for a large hatchback, comfy, well equipped. They stopped making them at 69 reg I think but you can get a really low milage one for your budget.

If you can find one you like, go for a Volvo, either V40 (car) or XC40 (SUV). Reliable, luxury feel but reasonable price tag.

That is in the UK. Are you living somewhere else? If so it might be a bit more expensive.

The VW t cross is much better than a Mazda!

I've been stalking autotrader since a fateful check engine light and garage visit last week, I do want an automatic which I think pushes price up and the car I'm getting rid of has less than 60k on the clock, anything close to 100 makes me anxious....
I'd love a kamiq, happy with an arona or a vitara, we drive to the Netherlands so want something with a fairly decent boot and comfortable for long journeys. I'm not far from London so expensive and loads of dodgy car places

V40 maybe, xc40 no chance for a decent one.

had a Volvo in the past when I was in a dual income household and it was fantastic from a comfort and quality point of view. Servicing and repairs were really expensive though.

Said nobody ever.

OP needs to focus on a certain type of car as too much choice is overwhelming. A VW t cross wont be had for 12 grand anyway and a Seat Arona is the same car for less money.

The Japanese and Koreans generally cant be beaten for reliability which is a top priority. For VW and their ilk, you're paying a premium for a supposed german brand.

The zoom zoom era of petrol Mazdas are bulletproof. Ask any independent mechanic and they will agree!

Tell me why :) is it reliability, style, power, design?! I am pretty car naive and only care about efficiency, VFM, reliability, and to a lesser degree comfort … we hired a Tuareg once and it was absolutely amazing. The only car I’ve ever actually remembered or remarked on 😂

Anyone know anything about the Vauxhall cross land or Grandland? I had the latter as a courtesy car once and it seemed fine, but only had it for a week

We really are the same buyer 😂
I don't care about looks, label, even performance rant, just VFM, reliability and that it's not massively uncomfortable/cramped

From 2019 Vauxhall as we knew it in the UK was taken over by Stellantis. Subsequently all cars are essentially Peugeots, hence why the Corsa looks near identical to the Peugeot 208. It remains a bottom of the market brand but probably more reliable now under Peugeot. Not sure on the ages of the Crossland and Grandland, I think they are the Stellantis ones, probably dont score high on reliability but parts cheap enough.

Just read reviews.