The Avensis is as likely as anything to be reliable. But, with a secondhand car, there is always a finite risk of components failing-and there's always consumable items like pads/discs tyres etc.

The maintainance free car is a myth. You need to have easy access to cash for unexpected repairs rather than worrying about whether X car, of Y vintage and Z engine will be the 'best'.

I think you improve your chances if you buy something with a good reputation.

I don't. Reputations are rarely formed entirely from disinterested logic. The problem is that cars with 'a good reputation' tend to be much more expensive than ones with a poor reputation. You have to consider the additional cost of a car with a good reputation.

Everyone 'knows' that French cars have terrible electrics that always fail. But when I poke around under the bonnet I find that all the electrics are German-and they all work.

The same goes for DMFs and DPFs. Sure there are problems, but plenty of people manage to clock up big mileages on both without problems.

Then there's the perennial agonising about timing belts vs chains. If the car has a belt, factor in the cost of a change and add it to the asking price of the car. You'll only have to do it once. Much easier than turning down perfectly good cars solely because they have a belt, only to find that the chain is goosed because the previous owner didn't bother to change the oil because everyone 'knows' that Hondas are bulletproof...

" so weighing up do I replace turbo or replace car. I have had this car for 5 years and it has done 113,000 miles. "

You're doing more than 20k per year so really need a diesel. A recon turbo for your car if needed would be about £750 max if you shop around.

If you would rather get a replacement car what about a Passat, cheaper than a Bora or Golf but with the same diesel engine & a bit more space. Only go for the 1.9PD 130 not the 2l 140 engine which can be unreliable.