What car would you recommend to replace a Mk1 Ford Focus?
What car would you recommend to replace a Mk1 Ford Focus, that meets the following criteria:
No or low tax
High MPG/fuel efficient
Reliable
Budget of c.£6k
Similar size
Low running costs
Mix of town and motorway driving, c.6k miles a year.
The Ford Focus ecoboost appears a strong contender, however my concern is potential reliability issues of c.10 year old models due to the highly tuned (small)engine, wet belt etc
The Nissan Note, Hyundai i20 and Skoda Rapid also appear to be contenders.
Appreciate any recommendations and what to avoid.
No or low tax
High MPG/fuel efficient
Reliable
Budget of c.£6k
Similar size
Low running costs
Mix of town and motorway driving, c.6k miles a year.
The Ford Focus ecoboost appears a strong contender, however my concern is potential reliability issues of c.10 year old models due to the highly tuned (small)engine, wet belt etc
The Nissan Note, Hyundai i20 and Skoda Rapid also appear to be contenders.
Appreciate any recommendations and what to avoid.
Asked on 17 April 2026 by Forum identity 1234
Answered by
Matt Robinson
We have a guide to everything you need to know about wet belts, including the models which use them, which we recommend you read: www.honestjohn.co.uk/advice/owning-advice/wet-belt/
Of the cars you've mentioned, the Nissan Note and Hyundai i20 are a size down from a Focus. The Nissan equivalent would be the Pulsar, although that's not a car we'd recommend particularly highly. The Hyundai equivalent of a Focus is the i30.
If reliability is high on your agenda, it's worth considering the Toyota Auris and Honda Civic.
Of the cars you've mentioned, the Nissan Note and Hyundai i20 are a size down from a Focus. The Nissan equivalent would be the Pulsar, although that's not a car we'd recommend particularly highly. The Hyundai equivalent of a Focus is the i30.
If reliability is high on your agenda, it's worth considering the Toyota Auris and Honda Civic.
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