Hi Diarmuid,

OK, if safety and reliability are your two main priorities then there are three main brands to look at: Toyota, Honda and Skoda. Any one of the Auris, Civic, or Octavia would make an excellent purchase. The Auris gives you the option of the Hybrid model, which is a good choice if you live and drive in town most of the time, while the 1.0-litre turbo engines in the new Civic and the Octavia are both cracking engines, and the best versions of those cars.