Five candidates. One decision.

The Shortlist

A showroom-style comparison of the cars we're considering.

Hyundai i30 1.6 CRDi Blue Drive SE Nav (2016) placeholder

Candidate

Hyundai i30 1.6 CRDi Blue Drive SE Nav (2016)

View listing
Price
£4,500
Mileage
89,443 miles
Engine
1.6L
Fuel
Diesel
Combined MPG
74.3 mpg
Insurance group
12Best
Road tax
£20/yrBest

Score

Price 4 · Miles 5 · MPG 5 · Ins 6 · Tax 6

Total 26

Anna's notes

I hate this car with a passion. Bleh!

Kris's notes

Nice car, decent MPG. MOT is expired so the car has been sat, I'm sure they'll put one on it, but rubbers/bushes etc tend to perish faster when sat unused.

Audi A1 Sportback 1.6 TDI Sport (2016) placeholder

Candidate

Audi A1 Sportback 1.6 TDI Sport (2016)

View listing
Price
£4,495
Mileage
91,000 miles
Engine
1.6L
Fuel
Diesel
Combined MPG
76.3 mpgBest
Insurance group
14
Road tax
£20/yrBest

Score

Price 5 · Miles 3 · MPG 6 · Ins 5 · Tax 6

Total 25

Anna's notes

It's OK, I wouldn't be mad.

Kris's notes

I think this is too small for her. Nice car though.

Audi A3 Saloon 1.6 TDI Sport (2015) placeholder

Candidate

Audi A3 Saloon 1.6 TDI Sport (2015)

View listing
Price
£4,250Best
Mileage
122,451 miles
Engine
1.6L
Fuel
Diesel
Combined MPG
74.3 mpg
Insurance group
15
Road tax
£20/yrBest

Score

Price 6 · Miles 1 · MPG 5 · Ins 3 · Tax 6

Total 21

Anna's notes

This is the car that I want.

Kris's notes

Has good history and proof of significant maintenance items such as cambelt, water pump, droplinks & front brakes having been done recently. Clean MOT history. Potential to negotiate on price.

Mazda 6 2.2 SKYACTIV-D Sport Nav (2016) placeholder

Candidate

Mazda 6 2.2 SKYACTIV-D Sport Nav (2016)

View listing
Price
£4,999
Mileage
74,078 milesBest
Engine
2.2L
Fuel
Diesel
Combined MPG
72 mpg
Insurance group
21
Road tax
£20/yrBest

Score

Price 1 · Miles 6 · MPG 2 · Ins 1 · Tax 6

Total 16

Anna's notes

Meh.

Kris's notes

Probably a great car but it's too big for her, it'll have more dings than a doorbell in 6 months.

Ford Focus 1.5 TDCi Zetec Edition (2017) placeholder

Candidate

Ford Focus 1.5 TDCi Zetec Edition (2017)

View listing
Price
£4,990
Mileage
93,825 miles
Engine
1.5L
Fuel
Diesel
Combined MPG
74 mpg
Insurance group
14
Road tax
£200/yr

Score

Price 3 · Miles 2 · MPG 3 · Ins 5 · Tax 2

Total 15

Anna's notes

I'd prefer not to have an estate.

Kris's notes

Too big for her and looks as though it was previously a hire/courtesy/fleet car likely meaning it will have had a hard life on the clutch due to many new drivers having used it.

BMW 1 Series 116d Sport (2017) placeholder

Candidate

BMW 1 Series 116d Sport (2017)

View listing
Price
£4,995
Mileage
90,141 miles
Engine
1.5L
Fuel
Diesel
Combined MPG
72 mpg
Insurance group
15
Road tax
£200/yr

Score

Price 2 · Miles 4 · MPG 2 · Ins 3 · Tax 2

Total 13

Anna's notes

I like the BMW

Kris's notes

It's nice but scores lowest, has the shortest MOT and the last one had advisories. Shame, it could have been a winner.