A good run around car for the school run, what would you choose?

[DarlingCoffee]

I’m hoping someone can help me as I’m looking for my first car at the grand age of 40! I have two primary aged children, and need it for the school run and office which is also local. I’ve been looking at a second hand mini convertible and beetle but would welcome any other suggestions? I have a budget of £5k, and wish to buy a second hand, manual car, easy to drive, reliable with not too many bells and whistles. Thank you for any advice you can impart!

For the school run? The biggest SUV you can find and park no further than 5m from the school gate, or right by the classroom door if it's raining

You don’t need a mini or beetle then. Look at a Honda jazz or VW polo. Or the hyundai

Seat Ibiza would be ideal, or even an older Seat Leon.

Seat is basically VW without the price tag

Skoda Fabia would be worth a look, pretty much a polo underneath but cheaper.

WouldNot touch a mini or a beetle. Everyone I know who’s had one spent a lot of time in the garage. If it’s just you and two kids, £5k would get you a reliable corsa/polo/seat or even a Peugeot 208/308 depending on what you like the look of. Use autotrader for a browse. Set your price and location limit, mileage and age to figure out what you can get for your money and always double check the MOT history

Op think about parts and how easy it is to get them, Ford is solid and reliable and lots of them about. Test drive some cars. I don’t like driving golfs, but others do! Keep it under 5 years old otherwise it devalues so fast!

I have a fiat500 which I love. Had it for 4 years (was 3 years old when I bought it) and it’s never had any kind of mechanical problem.

A mini or a Beetle wouldn't really be practical. And you could get a much more reliable car for your money.

I'd go with a VW polo or Golf, our VW is still going strong after 14years without much hassle. I've also heard good things about Seat.

Anything by Skoda.

Good value for money and absolutely reliable.

Thank you everyone for all your replies and suggestions. This is so helpful and am off to look at them all now. I don’t have anyone who can help me IRL so your advice is very much appreciated.

Hyundai i20 had several of these and never a problem.

It's worth looking at something that's tax free as well

I have a polo cheap to tax and insure. Fine for school run and my shortish commute 14 miles

Fiesta...Great little car

Hyundai i10 or Suzuki Swift. Fuel efficient and easy to park.

Only issue is the small middle seat of you want to bring friends for playdates. Maybe look at a bubble bum car seat for these occasions.

Toyota Yaris. Incredibly reliable and last a really long time, small enough to squeeze in tight spaces but big enough boot for the essentials and low road tax.

Polo, Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz.

I drive a 17 year old Seat Ibiza .

Definitely not a mini or a beetle!
I've gone through a fair amount of cars in my time, but the ones I found reliable were my Vauxhall meriva which I literally ran into the ground.
I now have a golf plus which is slightly bigger boot wise than a normal golf and I love it, it's still quite compact looking on the outside, but roomy enough on the inside for two dc and all their crap.

Honda Jazz. I currently drive one that is pretty old and it’s so reliable. Very nippy. I’ve heard Honda are a solid reliable make generally. If I had more money I’d probably go for a Golf as I do love VW.

I've got a Micra which does a similar job brilliantly. Comfortable to drive, tiny turning circle so easy to manoeuvre, fits a couple of kids in, cheap to run, utterly reliable.

I’d go for something small and easy to park. DD has a Kia Picanto which is a great little car.

I'd go for a Skoda fabia. Had one as a hire car and it was lovely to drive. Would have one but it's not big enough for the dog so we have a jazz instead which is also a nice car.

I second a ford fiesta! Lovely to drive, reliable and cheap to run. Great little cars.