Good sub-£4k family car? Maybe a Passat?

[kissenger]

I’ve got £4k to buy a car. Stipulations are it needs to be reliable and reasonably cheap to run, and big enough for two baby seats in the back and a dog in the boot. For that reason I’m thinking an estate. I have a long once a week commute of 200+ miles so I’m fine with a diesel. I know I’ll be looking at older/higher mileage cars for this sort of money.

The best car I’ve found is a 2010 Passat 1.6 TDI with around 100k on the clock and a decent service history from a dealer near me. I know the timing belt will probably need doing but I’m not sure about general reliability? Anyone got any experience with one?

Other cars I’m looking at include an i30, Ceed, Octavia, maybe a V50 or Golf. Any suggestions welcome.

 

[kissenger]

Passat is a good call tbh. My time in a b6 2.0 170 was good on the whole, a solidly built car, comfortable and does everything you need competently. Very much a forgettable car though, and by far the least reliable car I've owned. In my time it had a water leak, a starter motor failure, a handbrake actuator failure. Got to expect problems with older German cars though.

This is why I am tempted to go for a Kia/Hyundai. Undoubtedly less comfortable but seem to be reliable as anything. My other half has spent £70 total on repairs for her big Hyundai SUV and her previous i30 in 10 years.

 

[kissenger]

Isn't 4k only enough to put towards a car these days?....

I cannot think of any "family" cars that I would trust for under 4k personally. Not helpful I know but I feel like you should spend a bit more and get something a bit newer

I take your point but needs must. I need a car by next week and we’re supposed to be completing a house purchase in a month or two so can’t take out any credit. £4K cash is all I’ve got.

Maybe that’s all the more reason to go for the boring but reliable option? I’m hoping something high mileage but with full service history will do me for a few years.