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Year: 2012
List price: €14,900
Owners: 1
Mileage: 67,592km
Engine: 1.7 diesel
Location: Dublin
Although estates aren't huge sellers in Ireland when new, Hyundai launched its impressive D-segment contender, the i40, as an estate first, called the Tourer, and it was a gamble that paid off as it has continued to sell very well. It helps, of course, that the i40 Tourer is such a great car. It looks good, is massive inside and in the boot and has a high-quality finish too. The 1.7-litre diesel engine isn't overly powerful, but it is refined, economical and comes with relatively low motor tax. Most examples of the i40 Tourer we found within our €15,000 budget had high mileage, but don't let that put you off, as that probably means they've been trouble-free and are unlikely to have issues with their diesel particulate filters. This low-mileage example we selected is in the more desirable Style trim level and looks as good as new.
2 - Mazda6 Tourer
Year: 2012
List price: €14,950
Owners: 1
Mileage: 122,952km
Engine: 2.2 diesel
Location: Dublin
Here's a rare find - a Mazda6 Tourer estate. It was quite an expensive car when new, though the vagaries of depreciation mean it's within our €15,000 budget now and it's highly recommended. Mazda has an enviable reputation for reliability and the Mazda6 is no different. This is actually a generation older than the current Mazda6 on sale, but it's still a cracking car. The interior is spacious and well-equipped (if not quite as modern as the Hyundai i40's) and the boot is vast. We reckon it still looks good too. On top of all that, the Mazda6 is brilliant to drive, mixing comfort with great body control. The 2.2-litre diesel engine is worthy of a special mention, as it gives the Mazda6 effortless performance, is refined and smooth and yet it's also very efficient. Star buy - if you can find one...
3 - MINI Clubman
Year: 2013
List price: €14,500
Owners: 1
Mileage: 41,700km
Engine: 1.6 diesel
Location: Cork
Not everyone needs a D-segment estate like the i40 and Mazda6, so how about this for something different? It's the MINI Clubman Cooper D, and it is, we admit, barely an estate. Buy this car because you love the modern day MINIs yet you need a little more space - but not too much more… The longer wheelbase makes rear seat accommodation a tad more spacious and the boot is usefully larger than the MINI Hatch's, but you won't use it to go to Ikea and buy a wardrobe. Oh, and the 'Clubdoor' on one side of the car to allow passengers into the back seats is awkward to use. Instead, revel in the typical MINI-like driving dynamics, efficient 1.6-litre diesel engine and that quirky-looking rear door arrangement.
4 - Volvo V50
Year: 2012
List price: €14,450
Owners: 1
Mileage: 169,000km
Engine: 1.6 diesel
Location: Dublin
There are very few estate cars at any price that manage to combine low running costs with a compact footprint and a premium feel and image. The Volvo V50, no longer in production, is one option, though. We found this late example, from 2012, that ticks all the boxes. It does, however, have quite high mileage, but to be honest, that's a good thing when it comes to reducing the chances of the DPF clogging up or other such issues. Just make sure it's fully serviced and do a Cartell.ie car history check as well. It's a remarkably economical car and one that's great to drive too.
5 - Skoda Fabia Combi
Year: 2014
List price: €14,950
Owners: 1
Mileage: 21,024km
Engine: 1.2 petrol
Location: Galway
Here's another compact estate choice that doesn't automatically come to mind. The Skoda Fabia hatchback is a good small car and the Combi estate version is simply genius in terms of practicality. The extra bodywork grafted onto the back turns this relatively small car into a massive estate by any measure so it would particularly suit those that are nervous driving bigger cars or simply don't have space to park them. The turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine also points to a life in and around town and it comes with low running costs. With little over 20,000 kilometres on the clock, this example we found is virtually like new, as well.