Need a used MPG for £3500 - what should I buy?

I have budget of around £3500 for a seven-seater automatic MPV. This will be used for 10 mile trips by my wife for dropping kids to school. I would like a 2004-2009 era car and have narrowed my choices to Vauxhall Zafira, Toyota Verso and Kia Caren.

I have read in your forum the problems with Toyota Verso MMT transmission issues. Could you suggest which model of Verso I should go for?

Asked on 6 January 2015 by ukessexcar

Answered by Honest John
I doubt you'll find a Verso 1.8 Valvematic Multidrive S for your money. Realistically you're looking at Ford Galaxy, Volkswagen Sharan and SEAT Alhambra 1.9TDI PD 6-speed autos. Better to avoid the later 2.0TDI Sharan and Alhambra. Nice 6-speed autobox in the Zafira, but lousy 1.9 diesel engine. KIA Carens relatively solid and reliable as well as cheap.
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