Cheap first family car - any suggestions?

[MusicalMummyJules]

I'm going to start learning to drive again and hopefully will pass my test by the end of the summer. We're looking at second hand cars and would love some advice as I have no clue where to look! The car needs to be five door and big enough for 2 car seats in the back and a boot big enough for pushchair etc, reliable and cheap to run would be good too if poss!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

They are not in the slightest bit exciting but the older style Toyota Corolla is very very reliable. We got a second hand one and decided to change cars when ours died but got fed up waiting after 7 years. Flogged it to brother's mate a couple of years ago for £500 and it is still going strong now and it is 13 years old. Our one had a decent size boot, newer ones are smaller.

Depends what you call cheap really.

I'm currently driving a Skoda Fabia estate, 1.2 engine. I've had it from new (it's an 07 plate) and it was £9,500 to buy new. We bought it on 3 years interest free credit.

It has been very reliable, is economical and is just the right size for what you describe. It went really well in the snow too! It costs £125 a year to tax, diesels are cheaper to tax, but usualy bigger engines so insurance is more. I think my Fabia is in group 2 insurance.

Thanks - will have a look!

Any other suggestions?

You probably need to give a budget to give an idea of what you're thinking .

I'm thinking about £5-6 k max really I think (it's a present from my parents!)

We were looking at the Honda Jazz yesterday and were really impressed at how much space there is in them, it really is very deceptive. I searched on here and various other places like Honest John and they get very good reviews. Cheap to run as well.