Reliable 7 seater under £6k

[Bullee]

I'm hoping that I can get some pointers from a few people with much more knowledge in this area than myself. I'm currently in the market for a 7 seater due to my Kia Carens being written off due to some idiot smashing into the back of me.

My budget is around£6k, and it is a case of the bigger the better. We will be doing around 8-10k miles per year and it tends to be small journeys during the week (5 miles each way to work, mostly town driving), and longer journeys on the weekend every fortnight (100 mile motorway runs). Reliability is definitely top of the list of priorities, and nothing in the £600+ tax groups if possible. Other than that I'm pretty much open to any cars that have 6 or more seats, I really hope you guys can help as all the research I've done hasn't really helped at all.

Thanks

[Shiv_P]

ULEZ requirement?

[Bullee]

ULEZ isn't an issue for me, there are none around here and I'm not planning on going anywhere with one at the moment.

[Back2theFuji]

Bit fugly and old now, but I guess a Kia Sedona is quite large. Perhaps avoid the newest ones with 2.2 litre diesel with DPF.

[Pistonheader101]

Ford Galaxy or Volkswagen sharan

[wiliferus]

Pistonheader101 said:

Ford Galaxy or Volkswagen sharan

Or the equivalent Seat (Alhambra) for more car for your money, although IMHO that comes at a cost of interior quality and a lot are in ‘S’ spec which is no frills.

[samoht]

Toyota Estima (Previa) is big inside, reliable (at least in petrol form), and competent to drive. They're import-only from 2006, which means you dodge the £630 road tax rate.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204124...

[ZX10R NIN]

Ford Galaxy Titanium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111139...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206016...

Sharan Tech SE:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202072...

Alhambra:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204285...

If you want the most space & the reliability then I'd consider this i800 as long as it checks out you won't get any bigger & they're reliable too, with your weekend mileage having a diesel won't be an issue:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201261...

[georgeyboy12345]

Toyota Previa 2.4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205035...


Mazda 5 1.8 TS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201141...


Nissan Qashqai +2 1.6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203203...


What about a Jap import Honda? Should be very realible, plus most parts should be available in the unlikely event they need replacing

Odyssey
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203173...

Stream
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205256...

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Thursday 2nd June 21:12

[Bullee]

Thanks for the input, some good options there and definitely some food for thought.

In regards to the Japanese imports, I've already done quite a lot of digging into those and really do like the look of them. The only issues I've really come across for me are insurance costs (looks quite likely that I'll be loosing my no claims bonus, even though the accident was non fault on my side, long story), I got a quote for a 3.5v6 Honda elysion and it was £1,400 for me and the Mrs. Parts availability was also something that would potentially be an issue, and lastly all the media controls are in Japanese.

[Bullee]

Anyone got any thoughts on the Honda frv? I know it's smaller than the other cars mentioned, but the fact it's 3+3 seats means it leaves a decent size boot and as far as I'm aware the 1.8 petrol engine is pretty reliable. Seen this on at, anyone have any knowledge of these?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022031435...

[ZX10R NIN]

The boot is actually smallish but I'd say check one out as only you know how much boot space you need.

[Bullee]

At the moment I am more leaning towards the Mazda 5 or frv, or potentially a zafira 1.4 (not sure about reliability on these, and I can probably get the other 2 for around a grand less).

Boot space would be nice, however I would only really use the rear seats once a fortnight so can probably see past that. Bluetooth connectivity would also be a plus, but again it's something I could live without if needs must.

[sjg]

Bullee said:

Thanks for the input, some good options there and definitely some food for thought.

In regards to the Japanese imports, I've already done quite a lot of digging into those and really do like the look of them. The only issues I've really come across for me are insurance costs (looks quite likely that I'll be loosing my no claims bonus, even though the accident was non fault on my side, long story), I got a quote for a 3.5v6 Honda elysion and it was £1,400 for me and the Mrs. Parts availability was also something that would potentially be an issue, and lastly all the media controls are in Japanese.

I run a Honda Stepwgn, insurance is fine (around £450 with Admiral), taxed at pre 2001 rate as no CO2 rating (currently £295). Stereo was standard double DIN and I put in a UK unit, no Japanese text on any controls. Servicing is easy, same 2.0 petrol as used in the CRV and others. Lots of parts are Civic, CRV or Accord of the era. Places like Automatrix stock most bits you’d need. Things from japan are quick and easy enough if they’re not too bulky.

Biggest risk is smashing a windscreen or bodywork damage, can get the parts but it can take a long time to arrive.

It’s been as reliable as you’d expect an NA petrol Honda to be, just keeps on going.

[ClaphamGT3]

Original series Volvo XC90.

The D5 is pretty indestructible and there are plenty out there that have been well looked after.

Make sure you go for a 2006-on face-lift model

[Tyre Smoke]

I bought a new Galaxy 2.0 diesel in 2018. It's not been great to be honest.

It's had two adblue faults requiring return to the dealer, both of which were outside warranty despite the car being less than a year old (3 year/60k whichever comes first) both costing over £1k to fix and the car being off the road for two weeks each time. Also it has had a new EGR valve because of a fault. Again chargeable. And lastly the software constantly call for updates through the infotainment system. Randomly it will refuse to engage reverse (It's an auto) unless you switch it off and on again and it's recently randomly gone into limp mode for no apparent reason. The aftersales of the dealer were less than forthcoming and were quite arrogant because It's a Ford, we obviously have more issues because we sell more cars.

Hyundai and Toyota on the other hand. Faultless.

Ask me where I'll be looking for my next vehicle.

[Bullee]

sjg said:

Bullee said:

Thanks for the input, some good options there and definitely some food for thought.

In regards to the Japanese imports, I've already done quite a lot of digging into those and really do like the look of them. The only issues I've really come across for me are insurance costs (looks quite likely that I'll be loosing my no claims bonus, even though the accident was non fault on my side, long story), I got a quote for a 3.5v6 Honda elysion and it was £1,400 for me and the Mrs. Parts availability was also something that would potentially be an issue, and lastly all the media controls are in Japanese.

I run a Honda Stepwgn, insurance is fine (around £450 with Admiral), taxed at pre 2001 rate as no CO2 rating (currently £295). Stereo was standard double DIN and I put in a UK unit, no Japanese text on any controls. Servicing is easy, same 2.0 petrol as used in the CRV and others. Lots of parts are Civic, CRV or Accord of the era. Places like Automatrix stock most bits you’d need. Things from japan are quick and easy enough if they’re not too bulky.

Biggest risk is smashing a windscreen or bodywork damage, can get the parts but it can take a long time to arrive.

It’s been as reliable as you’d expect an NA petrol Honda to be, just keeps on going.

I didn't really have a serious look at the stepwagon just because my eye was taken by the size and styling of the elysion and Odyssey, but I think I'll have a look in a bit more detail and see what prices they are available for. Was the installation of a UK head unit easy enough? I would like to put an updated android unit in ideally if I go that route.

[Bullee]

ClaphamGT3 said:

Original series Volvo XC90.

The D5 is pretty indestructible and there are plenty out there that have been well looked after.

Make sure you go for a 2006-on face-lift model

I do love the look of the XC90, I was just worried about potential repair costs because most of the ones around are fairly big miles (120k+).

[ClaphamGT3]

Bullee said:

I do love the look of the XC90, I was just worried about potential repair costs because most of the ones around are fairly big miles (120k+).

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110289003544?advertising-location=at_cars&year-from=2006&maximum-mileage=100000&price-to=6000&postcode=Sw16%201nj&model=XC90&page=1&make=Volvo&include-delivery-option=on&sort=relevance

[Emily's dad]

We ran a Mazda 5 for 10 years, one lambda sensor was the sum total of repairs over and above regular servicing.

Can’t get much more reliable than that.

Loads on autotrader from £1500, petrol, diesel, manual or auto.