I want to swap my Corsa for something reliable and fuel efficient - what do you suggest?

I'm currently driving a 2013 Vauxhall Corsa 1.2-litre. I'm doing about 1000 miles a month and it's costing me about £200 in petrol. I have a five-year-old and a dog and we spend most of our time on the moors (driving country lanes) so the car is always full of wellies coats, blankets etc. I am looking for a much more fuel efficient car and one that has enough space to fit us and all our stuff in, along with being reliable and low maintenance costs. Including part exchange, I can only afford to spend about £4500. What would you suggest?

Asked on 20 April 2020 by Emily Powell

Answered by Andrew Brady
You're not going to find a much more efficient car than your Corsa, unless you consider diesels. A cheap, second-hand diesel can be very expensive to maintain, though - especially as you don't cover many motorway miles (which are necessary to clear out the diesel particulate filter and prevent issues). Before you go trading in your Corsa, have you done everything you can to ensure it's as efficient as possible? Consider clearing out any unnecessary items and have it serviced. If you still want to change your car, we'd recommend something like a Hyundai i20, Honda Jazz, Toyota Yaris or Ford Fiesta (with the reliable 1.25-litre engine). They're all very efficient and should be very reliable.
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