Ask the Expert: Which reliable, used family car can I get without spending extra?

Dear Alex,

My 2016 Ford S-Max with 102,000 miles is a well-used family car with minor damage. Much as I have loved its space, it hasn’t been particularly reliable. I am still paying the loan that I took out to buy it, so am not in a position to take on any more monthly payments. I need a car which is going to last up to three years. I appreciate that I will have to downsize, but with two children and a boxer dog, I still need a reasonable amount of space. Can you suggest some options that wouldn’t cost any more than the value of my current car?

– LB

Dear LB,

Depending on its specification, your car is probably worth around £8,000 in a private sale. Assuming your S-Max is a diesel (the vast majority are), I’ll also assume buying another diesel-engined car isn’t an issue, which is good, because if they suit your driving style, diesels are usually cheaper second-hand than their petrol equivalents. 

For that sort of money, my first port of call would be the Mazda CX-5. Granted, this isn’t as practical as your S-Max – you lose the rearmost row of seats and it’s an SUV rather than an MPV or people carrier, so it isn’t quite as roomy. But it is a fairly sensibly sized SUV, and there’s more than enough space for your children – plus a huge boot for your dog.

The CX-5 is one of the more reliable SUVs, while Mazda usually scores pretty well in most dependability studies; your budget should get you an example that’s no older than your S-Max, but with fewer miles – for example, the 2016 2.2 Skyactiv-D SE-L Nav Auto I found with 85,000 miles and a full service history for £7,995.

If that’s not quite spacious enough, look at a Honda CR-V. It’s roomier and has a slightly better reliability record, but you do get less car for your cash. The example I found, an i-DTEC SE, also with 85,000 miles and a good history, dates from 2014 so is a couple of years older (and has a less generous equipment list) than the Mazda.

Of course, SUVs aren’t the only options. A sensible estate, while less fashionable than an SUV, is often better value as a result and will usually get better fuel economy, too. How about the Hyundai i40 or the Toyota Avensis? Neither is tremendously exciting, but both score highly on reliability. 

The Toyota is the larger and roomier of the two, but the Hyundai is more affordable; I found a 2016 Avensis 2.0 D-4D Business Edition with 80,000 miles, and a 2017 i40 Blue Drive SE Nav with 75,000 miles, both with full histories, both at £8,000. Take your pick. 

Or you might want to stick with the MPV body style. In doing so, as you say, you’ll have to downsize – but you can still get a good, solid seven-seater for your cash in the form of the Kia Carens. 

Again, this model’s reliability record is good, and on that basis I suggested one to a good friend; he’s owned his for three years and can’t sing its praises highly enough. The only downside is that newer examples are harder to find due to the waning popularity of MPVs of this size; however, I unearthed a 2016 1.7 CRDi 3 for £7,995 that might fit the bill. 

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