Most reliable automatic under £12,500

[LP_Brentford]

Hello,

Hopefully you can help!

As per above - what do you think is the most reliable automatic car under 12.5k?

Open on makes, not a brand snob so not too fussed.

Must be big enough to easily fit golf clubs in the boot and fairly nippy!

Thanks,

[Triumph Man]

I think the ZF8 autobox is supposed to be quite reliable - I suppose it also depends on what it's attached to!

[TooLateForAName]

Electric

[GeniusOfLove]

If reliability is your absolute number one concern get something from Toyota/Lexus.

All other suggestions are wrong.

[V 02]

Corolla Hybrid 1.8 hatch - 1.8 because you need the bigger boot.

If you can stretch - the 2.0 estate is nippy and has a good boot.


Best bang for buck trims on the used market in order of best to worst:

Icon Tech
Design
Dynamic
Icon
Excel
GR Sport

[Jordie Barretts sock]

V 02 said:

Corolla Hybrid 1.8 hatch - 1.8 because you need the bigger boot.

If you can stretch - the 2.0 estate is nippy and has a good boot.


Best bang for buck trims on the used market in order of best to worst:

Icon Tech
Design
Dynamic
Icon
Excel
GR Sport

Whilst I agree Toyota is the correct choice, you won't get a Corolla for that will you?

I'd suggest Auris as an alternative. An estate, for preference (known as a Touring).

[venster70]

Agree with the Japanese approach for reliability, Honda / Toyota.

However many of the automatics are CVT based, and I think you really to test drive one to see how you get on, they aren't for everyone!

I believe Prius are pretty reliable, this will also give you the hybrid option.

[roadie]

TooLateForAName said:

Electric

I agree an electric car really reduces things that can go wrong.

The e-Golf might be an option if you can live with a range of 120 miles on a charge.

[LP_Brentford]

Thanks guys! What do you think of the Octavia/Leon with the DSG box?

[Jordie Barretts sock]

LP_Brentford said:

Thanks guys! What do you think of the Octavia/Leon with the DSG box?

It's not a Toyota. So it's the wrong answer.

[GeniusOfLove]

LP_Brentford said:

Thanks guys! What do you think of the Octavia/Leon with the DSG box?

I made a venn diagram for you

[vikingaero]

James Ruppert who writes about Bangernomics and may still write for Autocar came up with a table of reliable autos. It went something like this:

(1) 4 speed auto Japanese or Korean cars
(2) 5 speed auto Japanese or Korean cars
(3) Euro 4/5 speed auto cars
(4) Japanese CVT esp Prius/Jazz
(5) 6/7 speed gearboxes
(6) 8/9/10/eleventy million speed gearboxes
(7) DSG
(8) Ford Powershift

Basically Keep It Simple Stupid. The few the cogs the more reliable and fixable.

[FamousPheasant]

GeniusOfLove said:

I made a venn diagram for you

As others have said if you want the most reliable you go Japanese. Toyota's can come with a manufacturer warranty up to 10 years old if serviced by a dealer.

While an Octavia or Leon from the VAG group maybe reliable in your ownership I don't think many would recommend if reliability is the outright concern. They almost never top reliability or satisfaction surveys - great all rounders yes, the most reliable? No.

[LP_Brentford]

Much appreciated. Don’t like the styling of the Corolla, but can see why it makes sense.

Looking at

Lexus CT 1.8 E-CVT (Petrol Hybrid)
Honda Civic 1.0 VTEC Turbo CVT (Petrol)
Kia Ceed 1.4 T-GDI DCT (Petrol)

Older Models:
BMW 1 Series 1.5 (Petrol)

Out of the ones above - what would you guys go for?

[LP_Brentford]

Out of the bunch favouring either a Civic or 1 Series.

[Jordie Barretts sock]

The Lexus. Because it's a Toyota.

Mate, how many times do you need to be told?

[TheInternet]

You don’t want the 1.0 Honda. 1.5 a much better bet with a chain rather than wet belt.

And that Lexus is pretty lethargic.

Edited by TheInternet on Monday 2nd September 18:47

[Jimjimhim]

roadie said:

TooLateForAName said:

Electric

I agree an electric car really reduces things that can go wrong.

The e-Golf might be an option if you can live with a range of 120 miles on a charge.

Agree as well. OP have you looked at electric?

[Whataguy]

Lexus CT 1.8 E-CVT (Petrol Hybrid) - it’s actually a Toyota auris underneath. I owned an auris and had the CT a few times as service loan cars. Good cars, only problem is the catalytic converters stick out the bottom and are easy to steal. I replaced my auris with a Corolla for that reason, as the Corolla cat is hidden away.


Honda Civic 1.0 VTEC Turbo CVT (Petrol)

Not this, if the timing belt doesn’t destroy the engine, I believe they disintegrate, it costs £1500 every 5 years for a new one.


I’ve had several VAG cars and would recommend avoiding them with the DSG.

[ZX10R NIN]

Avoid the 1.0T Honda engines as they're a wet belt engine.

I'd also add the 2.0T Insignia to that list they have a conventional auto, the drivetrain is well proven:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407081...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408052...

1.5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407222...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407131...

As above avoid dual clutch gearboxes.