Are you sure 130 miles a day is a sustainable commute - presumably M1/M25? It would kill me!!

How easily could you pick up the Euston>Watford>MK railway?

A rail season from Watford to MK is £3300, probably £4k from Euston. Fuel alone for a 220 day working year will cost you more than that.

It all depends on how near to MK station Hannah's work is. MK was designed for the car and I suspect the bus service may not be up to much.

Indeed, the moniker Milton Keynes Central is pushing it some as station is on western edge, down by A5. Long way from there to industrial places by M1. OTOH maybe the buses ARE ok or Hannah could keep a bike at the station.

If you look at Fiestas, I would strongly recommend the 1.6 TDCi over the 1.4, not only for the bit of extra punch, but for it's much smoother engine and power delivery.

It's a more modern engine than the 1.4, and is actually slightly more economical. Similar road tax cost or as makes no difference.

I have no particular small car recommendations, but before you commit yourself to a small hatchback it might be worth thinking about something a little bit larger for this much longer drive, which is going to be completely different to your previous motoring.

Small hatches are as you know already owning one are noisy at motorway speeds and a little 'unsubstantial' for long drives, a larger saloon will without doubt be quieter unless its fitted with huge wheels and elastic band tyres.

Its often the case too that the larger saloons tend to be just as good on fuel as the small hatches, possibly better aerodynamics but also often have taller gearing better suited to motorways.

Not suggesting you go for a blinking great Volvo or Benz, good cars though both are, thinking that if a saloon would be considerable for you then you might well get more metal and newer and lower mileage for your money than the standard hatch.

Thinking of something like this, have no knowledge of the garage or this particular car

tinyurl.com/nmttz9m

There are dozens of other cars to choose from in this segment, if twer me i'd rather be in something just a little more substantial quiet and refined for such a lot of driving, plus if auto would be preferred then you have a much better choice of auto Diesels with real gearboxes in the larger cars.

Just give it some thought.