Reliable used car for under a grand with a large boot?

My girlfriend is in the market to replace a ratty old Metro with something with space enough to put a folded massage table (approx 3 feet 6 inches by 2 feet 6 inches folded up) in the back. Max budget is £1000, but nothing too ostentatious. The previous govt's used car clearance scheme has emptied the field a bit - any advice?

Asked on 3 June 2010 by CelticNomad

Answered by David Ross
If it's reliability you're after then you need to stick with Japanese or German makes. We've seen some fairly tidy Toyota Corollas with reasonable mileages (less than 55,000 on a 1998 model) or there's the Honda Civic (we've seen a 2000 model with 64,000 miles for less than £1,000). Alternatively there's the Nissan Almera.
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