There are many Small Reliable cars on the Market Ad, your best bet is to try / sit in a few & see what you think, either Derv / Petrol, Derv needs the mileage to get results in comparison to a petrol, check out your driving space, what I mean by that, enough room away from the steering wheel in case of an accident, leg room Doors, Hatch back, when you have done your searching then check the reliability of the car by looking at " that motors reviews" then start looking at prices! can you pay cash? HP? if cash you have the upper hand regards a deal, the garage want to get the sale so they need you more than you need them, do not bye in the rain as that hides imperfections in the bodywork always by in dry weather, do not bye off the " SIDE OF THE ROAD" no warrantees, do not get pushed onto byeing by a pushy salesman, deal late on in the afternoon, when the want to get rid of a car, lastly, if you are not well up on the Mechanics, Offer someone with knowledge £20 to go with you and check the car out, when you have seen the model you want, barter, barter like hell, sod what they say to you, you have the money they want to sell, do not take the "so called extra warrantee, they are not worth the paper they are written on.