Should I replace my Honda Civic with a Mercedes-Benz which offers better access?

My present car is a 1997 Honda Civic 1.6 petrol auto, owned from new. I need better access with a higher seat and would like a 5-door auto petrol hatchback of a similar size, but which? A Mercedes dealer has 2012 A-Class with very low mileage at £13,950 and £14,950 and also a 2009 B-Class with 27,000 miles at £10,950. I'm 83 and do about 6000 miles per year with some long runs. Can you advise on other cars please?

Asked on 10 June 2012 by EO, Wolverhampton

Answered by Honest John

I suggest the Ford B-Max 1.6-litre auto: (www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/ford/ford-b-max-20.../) or Toyota Yaris hybrid: (www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/toyota/toyota-yari.../) or Hyundai ix20 1.6 auto/Kia Venga 1.6 auto: (same car, different badges: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/kia/kia-venga-2010.../) or the Toyota Verso S 1.3 Multidrive S: (www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/toyota/toyota-vers.../) or the Honda Jazz: (www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/honda/honda-jazz-2.../)

Tags: automatics mpvs petrol engines ease of access

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2012 - 2018)

High-quality interior. Strong diesels. Good record for reliability. Option of four-wheel drive.

Ford B-MAX (2012 - 2017)

Sliding side doors and no central pillar mean unimpeded access. Five star Euro NCAP rating. Engines include 1.0 litre three-cylinder EcoBoost petrol. Decent drive.