I don't know why, but it seems the more modern the cars we own, the less reliable they become.

Our current tales of woe concern a 2000 Vauxhall Vectra 1.8 estate. Apparently, the ECU has blown. Apparently it's a common problem. Even a scrapper replacement is the best part of £200. Why, after over a century of design and development, do cars break down so spectacularly?

Frankly, we're very close to just hauling the heap to a layby and throwing a petrol-soaked rag in it. After nearly three decades of being a Vauxhall owner, I'm also not particularly likely to buy another of the breed...

Right now, I'd prefer a car without complicated electrickery, where you can at least get mobile again with a spanner at the roadside.

So, while we currently can't afford to, I want to start the search for a reliable and economical car. The intention it should replace both The Heap and my little red Fiat. I'm open to any suggestions and recommendations, but I do have the following basic requirements:

3 or 4 door hatchback

Diesel preferred

Auto or manual gearbox

No more than 5 years old

Excellent known reliability

Cheap to maintain

Personal recommendation/experience

Preferably not French

Sensible suggestions preferred. This is a serious search for a replacement car, and I want to know about your experiences and recommendations.

All cars have ECUs these days and have done for AT LEAST 15yrs. Jus' sayin'

As for your search, you don't mention size, equipment levels, drivability or crucially budget. Without knowing any of those, but meeting everything else, I'm gonna say Ford Fiesta 1.6 TDCi at a minimum of Zetec spec, I'd have the Zetec S myself (were I to consider such a thing).

£35 tax
55+mpg
Reasonable go (around 11 secs to 60, good in gear performance)
Extremely reliable AND cheap to fix if they do go wrong
Servicing's cheap
Come in 3 or 5 doors

My bro works at a Ford/Fiat dealer and has previously worked with Skoda, VW and an independent. I've been around a lot of different stuff and the Fiesta from about 05 on really is up there for that sort of car.

Depending on budget, I would also very seriously look at a late MK1 Octavia. They also meet all of your criteria, but are slightly more expensive to run, go faster and are bigger. They're probably cheaper to buy too and the interiors are better IMO.

I didn't set a budget because, well, we don't have one right now. If the prices are right, then we'll find the money.

As far as the ECU is concerned, I know. It just seems we managed to pick the one model/engine/ECU set-up that turns out to be the proper lemon. I joke about my next car being a Morris Minor, and it would be if I felt it could handle motorway speeds happily.

The Fiesta does fit the basic criteria nicely. I'm not that fussed about drivability or fun. I just want something that's reasonably cheap, reliable and gets us from A to B in relative comfort.

We've been doing some trips up to MK recently in the Seicento. It was okay, reasonably comfortable on the long trek round the M25 and up the M1. It's just a bit too small to be properly comfortable for long journeys, though. We've been thinking of something a bit larger but not as big as the old estates we used to own.

Would a Yaris be too small?

My mum's '05 1.3 Auto model has been indestructible and not bad performance to boot.

For comfort, the Octavia would be better suited to that journey. Mine has excellent lumbar support, height adjustable seats and height and reach adjustable steering wheel. They are extremely reliable and perhaps slightly better screwed together than the Fiesta, but a slightly older design. However, you may not need the extra boot or rear space for just you and BB.

Yaris is a good call Jim. Although parts are generally more expensive for Jap stuff, those things do just run and run. Personally however, I'd want something a little bigger for comfort during motorway use on a regular basis.

Skodas are pretty good reliable cars - I had one from new for 8 years. Had it not had an encounter with a lot of water a few years back (it was starting to show signs of premature ageing as a result), I’d probably have kept it for a while longer.

I was going to suggest a Fabia - good call.

I'd have suggested either a Focus or Golf. Again budget is a large driving factor - there's a difference between a £20k car and a £5k one.

Vauxhall build quality did go down until fairly recently and I've heard of the ECU problem.

For reliability, think either German or Jap.

Ooh good call!

I'm liking the idea of a Skoda. We've had recommendations in that direction before.

Keep it coming. Good suggestions, folks. Thanks!

It’s a Cheap Audi - as opposed to the Seat which is an expensive Skoda!

Mind you, if you want an Octavia with the rest of Heather’s requirements, you really need to source one of these:



My dad had one. It would not die.

I had one of these:

It would not die either.

My Mum had an Estelle similar to the beige one you posted. For some reason the front seats had a scaffold pole across where your coccyx was, and the gearlever was like stirring a bucket of marbles. There were two paving slabs in the front "boot" to help keep the front wheels on the road.

I've had a quick squint at prices for Skoda Fabia and Octavia. They're a little out of our price range at the moment, but not disastrously so.

Octavia VRS - now there's a car you could have a lot of fun with. Go to the stealers and have a test drive.

Yeah, now, y'see, I was trying to get a down-to-earth sensible car. I don't want to be burning people off at the lights, or pulling doughnuts in Morrisons car park with it. Just want something relatively cheap, reliable, big enough to carry two comfortably, four when required, and some luggage for when we go away.

Nothing fancy.

my dads first car






all ppl on this forum say my car is bad (peugout 406) when Ive had no probs with it 56mpg, fits 4 passangers (or 7 illegaly) great handling, nippy but not "that" fast, feels like a heavy cruiser sometimes, and parts are rather cheap