Reliable cheap small car for parents

[danlightbulb]

Hi all,

Parents old 1997 Fiesta failed the MOT and is irrepairable.

Looking for something smallish (but not tiny tiny), hatchback or similar. Reliable, petrol, cheap to run and maintain. Preferably under £1500. Something they can use as a local runabout (they don't do many miles), with occasional trips to Wales.

Any suggestions please?

Thank you.

 

[danlightbulb]

saab 9-5 grand parents love those.
great tourer for the trip to wales.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265197363270?hash=item3dbefea046:g:KIkAAOSwW0JgbECO

Ha ha far too big for my mom to drive, she wouldn't like it.


I'll check out the Jazz, thanks.

 

[danlightbulb]

What's wrong with it?

Its needed welding work for the past few MOTs now they would need to weld on top of existing weld so it would need new metal splicing in to the chasis. It could be done probably but would cost more than the scrap value the car is worth.

 

[danlightbulb]

Unfortunately the Jazz is out. Apparantly around here there have been a lot of catalytic converter thefts on Hondas of a certain age which includes these Jazz's of 2010 era.

My mom really likes the VW polo circa 2009 age.

 

[danlightbulb]

Does anyone have access to a pricing guide please?

VW Polo 3 dr hatchback 1.4 Match petrol, 2009, 30,000 miles.

On sale for £3900 (dealer) which seems a tad high. Autotrader says that its a 'great' price but the range given by the free Parkers pricing tool is nowhere near that.

 

[danlightbulb]

Why not another fiesta? Should be able to pickup an 05 ish plate for your budget.

Loads about yeah, but my Mom is quite short and she didn't feel comfortable in the seating position. To be fair, having seen the newer Fiesta's dashboards, they are quite garish. I think she likes the minimalist layout of the Polo and was sat quite higher in it too.

They are happy to spend a bit more than the original budget I had said, and want something that will last them a long time.

 

[danlightbulb]

i10 is a little small really. They want a small car, but not a 'city' car. They need a bit of a boot and they take the grandkids in the back occassionally.

Seeing a Polo and a Clio today, one of those might make the cut I think. Same age, same mileage, same condition on paper, Clio is £1500 cheaper.

 

[danlightbulb]

Isn't cat theft only the hybrid models? Not sure it effects every model

No it seems its on the Jazz particularly the 2008-2010 cars not just hybrids.

We know others who have been victims in the area on that specific car.

They've gone for a Polo, £3700. Its nice. Feel a bit expensive personally but it seems all used cars have got more expensive lately.