Add to your shortlist all the soft-road SUVs and crossovers - most of them have a more economical 2wd option and many are MORE suited to those with mobility issues than conventional cars which are significantly lower.

The extra height makes it so much easier to get in/out when matched to the person.

Make a shortlist of those that you like when you test drive and then take your mother for a "test sit".

Don't rule out Prius, even if it means 2 years old, very reliable long term bet. Would Auris Hybrid come into your range yet. Better still apparently there is a Yaris Hybrid planned and should be available soon.

If you recall from your test of Prius previously they are hard to beat for the smoothest drive train and power take up, silent too.

Seeing as proper auto boxed Diesels are as rare as hens teeth in small/medium cars (new Avensis too big?), about the only really economical petrol auto is going to be a hybrid.

Being 6ft i know how much of a pain it is to get in the back of cars, very few cars are made now with the thought that anybody will get in the back of them.

Out of those four i'd go for the Prius, they're all quite dreary cars to be honest but the Prius makes the most financial sense. Modern diesels' DPF problems are well documented and if you want a diesel its worth looking at something like a 57 plate. Have you considered the Ford Fusion? Was it in your original 20? They dont do a diesel auto but some relatives of mine had one and although its essentially a jacked up Fiesta its added height makes it easy to get in the back, many are automatic and you can get a 58 plate for half of your budget.

We have Prius' as pool cars where i work and its numbers make a compelling argument. Its a Toyota first off so reliability is assured, the hybrid system is proven to work and run for starship mileages, insurance is low, 50+mpg achievable without much effort, its large, 5 doors, even i can sit in the back with no problems, its got no conventional starter motor or alternator to go wrong, its got no DPF or anything which damages diesels reliability, it gets diesel-ish fuel economy on cheaper fuel (petrol is 130.9 and diesel 142.9 today where i am), very low tax only £10 a year (would be £20 but technically its classed as an alternative fuel vehicle) and for under £10,000 you can get a 58 plate, T Spirit with very low miles (50k is hardly woken up on these), full leather, CD changer, Sat Nav, heated screens, one-tap electric windows, Air Con, Bluetooth for mobile phone. Pretty much everything you need i wouldve thought.

However if i had to give it minus points then in my opinion its not as comfortable at speed as other cars, im not sure i'd want to drive it up and down the motorway all day (i drive a Jag S-Type so maybe im being unfair) and the seats are a bit marmite. I liked them but the seats are a common complaint in the US but its a car made to ferry fat Californians round Los Angeles so it cant be that bad. I'd recommend getting some premium chunky tyres on it though as the eco friendly skinny ones which come as standard really are tiresome on the motorway.

have a look at the hyundai i20 auto, and the suzuki swift auto, you maybe surprised

It looks as if the garage issue is the most difficult one to overcome - aren't some builders crass!

Why not have a longer test run in a Jazz, which seems to come nearest to your ideal: make sure you get the new CVT and not the previous semi-automatic gearbox which was a mistake by Honda. There are a lot of satisfied Jazz owners who presumably find no problem with the steering.

A Mini Countryman (which has 5 doors) would be ideal, but they probably won't come into your budget till they've been around a bit longer.