Super reliable, economical car for family of 4. Any recommendations?

[pinkmagic1]

I currently have a Renault Scenic and love the space but it has proved to be totally unreliable and is in the garage at least every 6 weeks! Things can't go on like this so I am thinking of getting rid. I am prepared to compromise a little on space, my children are 5 and 7 so no longer need to lug around pushchairs but would still like something with a decentish boot space. I used to have an Astra which I loved and would consider again but was wondering if anyone could suggest other options. My budget is fairly small, £2000 max.

My favourite car for reliability is ford focus. Not sure if you can get one for that budget but they are fab cars if you can.

I've a Yaris which fits 5 of us & a pram. The back seats move so the boot can be bigger (I've had suitcases& a child's bike inthere!).

Dh has a scenic so I feel your pain on garages!

You don't get a lot for £2000 but \link{http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201217466857985/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/price-to/2000/radius/1500/postcode/ub70bd/page/1/quicksearch/true?logcode=p\old Toyota Corollas} are pretty reliable

65K miles could be a bit dodgy, there are quite a few mechanical bits which need replacing around 60K, but worth considering

Micra!

\link{http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201211456759928/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/price-to/2000/postcode/ub70bd/page/3/quicksearch/true/radius/1500?logcode=p\Nissan Almera} also reliable

if you register on autotrader's website you can do your own search with your postcode & find cars near to you

\link{http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201215463399094/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/price-to/2000/postcode/ub70bd/page/3/quicksearch/true/radius/1500?logcode=p\Skoda Fabia} - they are good now but I don't know if they were as good then

Thanks for your recommendations, was looking at Almeras earlier. Have been looking on Autotrader daily but was looking for personal recommendations. Its all a bit of a mind field looking for a decent used car, especially with a tight budget.

trouble is, at that end of the market one person's good reliable car can be another person's nightmare - you can only really go by model reputation

For a 10-yr-old-ish car, you are much better off with a Japanese car than French one, as a rule

With a diesel you can safely look at higher mileages than petrol

If you can find something with a chain cam instead of a cambelt you're a bit safer (changing cambelt is an expensive job, but if it doesn't get done at the right interval it can snap & destroy the engine)

full service history is a comfort (eg that Corolla, which is also one owner, very rare in a car that age)