Looking to drive after a 20 year break, don't know what the second hand market is like...

Moley

Moley

Moley

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In a world of my own
So I had a nasty accident 20 years ago, lost my license and couldn't face driving again. Recently I've plucked up the courage to take lessons, I took my theory and passed 100% pass mark and 86% on the hazard perception. My first lesson is on Friday.

When I pass I will be looking to get back into driving, but not with anything powerful or flash. A little hatchback would suit my fine so long as it's reliable. I work from home so would likely be doing very low milage each year.

I've been kinda thinking along the lines of a VW Golf or BMW 1 series. Looking at something less than 10 years old, less than 50k miles and budget of £8-9k or £250 a month.

Would appreciate any advice or suggestions on these cars and any others that you think I should be looking at.

Thanks.
 
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Used market has been crap since covid. There is a lot more demand for old cars now with new prices being so silly for a basic ecobox.
 
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If not looking for something flash consider the Suzuki Swift, or the smaller Skodas - which are probably a better bet than VW these days for reliability on basically the same car...
 
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Or an old Yaris, Civic, Jazz. It will last longer than you will :D

You aren't going to get cockroach grade durability from anything German tbh. To complicated and to much built in obsolescence.
 
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You should be fine with that budget, just be circumspect in what you purchase.
Key changes that spring to mind ref the market:
- the banger market (sub £1k) has seemingly ceased to exist
- the ratio of cars sold privately is much lower than I remember
- every car that we looked at recently under £4k was frankly rubbish. Most in a variety of poor states. One car had photos that made it look mint. Went to buy it and it was fairly obvious that the photos were from time back and before the crap repair job. Close up, it was 4 shades of red
- cars have got more complex
- there’s a lot more data available online now which is great news. That includes full MOT history via a free .Gov website. It’s a great way to get a feel for how well a car has been maintained. Repeated advisories for say tyres is a pretty good sign of an owner who doesn’t care

Ref car options, depends on what you’re after and size needs. My personal opinion is that the Japanese still make the most reliable cars, which is why we recently bought a Yaris as a 2nd car
 
my suggestion would be to get something cheaper at least for the first year

car suggestions, Toyota Yaris / Auris , Honda Civic , Mazda 2
 
Mr_Sukebe said:
You should be fine with that budget, just be circumspect in what you purchase.
Key changes that spring to mind ref the market:
- the banger market (sub £1k) has seemingly ceased to exist
- the ratio of cars sold privately is much lower than I remember
- every car that we looked at recently under £4k was frankly rubbish. Most in a variety of poor states. One car had photos that made it look mint. Went to buy it and it was fairly obvious that the photos were from time back and before the crap repair job. Close up, it was 4 shades of red
- cars have got more complex
- there’s a lot more data available online now which is great news. That includes full MOT history via a free .Gov website. It’s a great way to get a feel for how well a car has been maintained. Repeated advisories for say tyres is a pretty good sign of an owner who doesn’t care

Ref car options, depends on what you’re after and size needs. My personal opinion is that the Japanese still make the most reliable cars, which is why we recently bought a Yaris as a 2nd car
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Even as an only car the Yaris is pretty good. They feel solid and even handle quite well.
 
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Do you have off road parking?

If you do it's worth looking at an EV as there's much less to go wrong on them and they're generally a lot cheaper to run as there's pretty much nothing to service.

Lots of choice now around that price point too.
 
sovietspybob said:
Do you have off road parking?

If you do it's worth looking at an EV as there's much less to go wrong on them and they're generally a lot cheaper to run as there's pretty much nothing to service.

Lots of choice now around that price point too.
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No EVs in that budget worth buying though. Crap range and old/out of warranty batteries. They are cheap because no one wants them.
 
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Nasher said:
No EVs in that budget worth buying though. Crap range and old, so running the risk of a 5 figure repair if the batteries go. They are cheap because they don't sell.
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Why do you keep posting utter rubbish, we get it, you don't like EV's for some reason. But just because you don't like them doesn't make all the lies you keep posting about them true.
 
Nasher said:
No EVs in that budget worth buying though. Crap range and old/out of warranty batteries. They are cheap because no one wants them.
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@Moley Jon's suggestion of an i20 is probably your best bet. Should be able to get something decent in budget. Also the usuals - Yaris, Corolla, Swift, Mazda 2, etc.
 
Nasher said:
And what EV exactly is worth getting for under 8k? With less than 50k miles on it. Don't say a Zoe or Leaf, because they are washing machines.

Much better with a good 00s petrol car at this price range.
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Go and have a look on AT, under £9k under 50k miles. All of those electric cars can't be crap, there's a big range.
 
tom_e said:
Go and have a look on AT, under £9k under 50k miles. All of those electric cars can't be crap, there's a big range.
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Wow a choice of a massive 358 cars nationwide and they all have terrible range. Most are Zoe and Leaf lol
 
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Nasher said:
Wow a choice of a massive 358 cars nationwide and they all have terrible range. Most are Zoe and Leaf lol
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Not sure where you're looking but 717 and a mix of golfs/corsas/leafs/ioniqs/ZS/others. 441 of them with a listed range of 150+ miles and the OP has already said they won't be doing mega mileage.
 
Might want to book your driving lesson now, heard its an absolutely joke nowadays to book a drive test and if you do get an appointment it will be at least 6 months away.
 
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