Which economical petrol car should we buy?

My wife and I both recently retired. We want to buy a new or used 4/5 door car. It would need to be economical to run and reliable over an annual mileage of 6000 - 7000 miles, I presume a petrol engine would be a better choice. We have no preference of make or model, but I have been driving Volkswagens as company cars for 15 years and been satisfied with reliability, etc. We would welcome your suggestions.

Asked on 28 December 2013 by MF, Rotherham

Answered by Honest John

The simplest suggestion is a Dacia Sandero 90TCe Ambiance at £7395 (+ a radio and spare wheel). A bargain. Bigger options, if you like VAG cars, include a SEAT Toledo, Skoda Rapid or Rapid Spaceback. Toledos are currently on offer at £2500 off and are basically the same as the Skoda Rapid. These are all narrower than Golfs or Focuses, so more easily fit in a garage.

www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/dacia/dacia-sander.../ honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/seat/seat-toledo-2012-road-test// honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/skoda/skoda-rapid-spaceback-2013-road-test//

Tags: running costs petrol engines reliability small cars

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