If he doesn't mind going backwards the 406 is probably the best value and most reliable secondhand car on the market, especially the diesel and a lot cheaper. They are also easier and cheaper to repair if they do go wrong.

I have an 01 2.0. Hdi estate on 218,000 miles, I have had it for 30,000 and virtually nothing has gone wrong with it, still has the original clutch and DMF. I have obtained a couple for other people who have had a similar experience.

Based on the good reports we had read on here and elsewhere about the 1.8 petrol Avensis we tried the estate version when we last changed the wifes car (early 2010). We had a 1.6 TDCi C-Max at the time (which had been 100% reliable over 5 years) thus we were not expecting to get Ferrari performance.

The Avensis was a slug, nice car but a slug. No performance unless you kept it well above 4000 rpm, even lane changes on dual carriageways needed very careful planning.

Make sure you are happy with the performance before buying one.

Hi,

Plenty of Kia Ce'ed 1.6 's around for around 3K. Some absolute bargains!!!

www.autotrader.co.uk

These are the views of Robin the Technician - I fix, therefore I am

I inherited a toyota Avensis 2 litre D4D 2006 as a company car, when it went back at 80k miles and 3 years old, we had no trouble with it.

My second Avensis 2 litre D4D tourer, 2009 did 150k miles in 3.1/2 years, only problem was a parking brake actuator needed replacing.

I am now on my 3rd 2 litre D4D Avensis as a company car, 20k miles so far, no problems.

The cars are all serviced every 10k miles (12.5k miles) for the latest car, without fail.

Either other posters have been unlucky or I have been lucky.

Have I been VERY lucky, or is it due to my driving patterns? for example.

My work journeys are never less than 70 miles each way so the engine thoroughly warms up. I do very few short journeys, using it for personal use at weekends, my shortest journey is 6 miles and I never drive it half a mile to the local shop.

My last Avensis, 2 litre diesel, 150k miles in 3.1/2 years was serviced every 10k miles, I regularly checked the oil and never had to top it up as it never used any oil between services.