Hi Paul,

Lots of choice around for that sort of budget but how about these:

Hyundai i30 estate -1.6 diesel (spacious, well made, frugal); Kia cee'd SW estate (same as the Hyundai but arguably slightly better looking and they're both from 2009-2010); Mazda6 2.0 diesel (super-reliable, lovely to drive, roomy but you'll have to go back to 2008 to get one in budget); SEAT Leon 1.9 TDI (sharp looking and thoroughly reliable, we found one from 2009 that's in budget); Skoda Octavia (similar to the SEAT, but more roomy); or a nice, sensible Toyota Avensis estate from 2009?

All would be good choices and should fit what you need.