Which automatic MPV is most reliable for under £7000?

We are looking for an automatic 7-seater for under £7000. Any type of vehicle will be considered, ideally not larger than a Galaxy, which is reasonably cheap to run and reliable without being too old. My wife did some research and thought a Zafira was a good all round option, until a school friend told her of her of her 2010 automatic rolling backwards when pulling away on hills. I have previously read about reliability issues with the Touran DSG autobox. It's hard to know which are isolated cases and which vehicles are commonly unreliable.

Asked on 21 April 2012 by RB, Christchurch, Dorset

Answered by Honest John

Consider an old shape Galaxy, Sharan or Alhambra, but you might also be able to get a current shape high mileage Galaxy 2.0TDCI 6-speed automatic. Addison Lee has a fleet of about 3000 and sells them off regularly, though usually when they are worth more than £7000. If you can find a Toyota Verso with a proper torque converter auto, that should be on the list (you don’t have enough for the latest Valvematic Multidrive S). And the cheapest, newest, and with the lowest mileage for the least money will probably be a KIA Carens auto.

Definitely avoid Touran DSGs for this sort of money, and Zafiras. See the entries in www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/

Tags: running costs automatics mpvs faulty gearbox

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Related models

Ford Galaxy (2006 - 2015)

Good to drive and comfortable. Versatile with foldaway seats. Generally good quality. Diesel automatic option. Plenty of room in all back seats.

Kia Carens (2006 - 2012)

Option of seven usable seats, all rear seats fold into the boot floor, spacious interior, five-year warranty on models sold since September 2006.

Toyota Verso (2009 - 2013)

Compact seven seater. Excellent Valvematic 1.8 petrol engine with smooth seven-ratio CVT gives 40+ mpg. Good reliability record.

Vauxhall Zafira (2005 - 2014)

Compact yet can house seven people. Rearmost seats fold into floor. More versatile mid-row seating than previous model. Excellent diesel auto.

Volkswagen Touran (2010 - 2015)

Sharper styling and revamped interior. Range of frugal engines including turbocharged chain cam 1.2 TSI. Seven seats as standard and a versatile interior.

Volkswagen Sharan (2010 - 2021)

Strong yet frugal diesel engines. Clever use of space inside with integrated child seats. Standard DAB. Practical sliding rear side door.

SEAT Alhambra (2010 - 2020)

Proper seven-seat practicality which is more than you can say for most SUVs, practical and spacious even with all seven seats occupied, sliding rear doors are a real boon especially the electric versions.