These 5 Cars Match Honda & Toyota for Reliability… But Cost Less

Product reviewed (theme of the video)

The video isn’t a single product review. Instead, it’s a list-based guide recommending five specific used cars that are surprisingly reliable—often matching the “Honda/Toyota reliability” reputation—while typically costing less in the used market.

Key idea / promise

• Honda and Toyota command a reliability premium in the used market.
• The video claims you can get similar reliability and peace of mind with underrated models that tend to be cheaper.

The 5 recommended cars (features + why they’re reliable)

1) Vauxhall Astra H (1.7 diesel)

Main points / features

• Shares a core engine design with the Honda Civic (diesel-era).
• The engine is described as Isuzu-sourced, with a long-lasting “tough block.”
• Simple “no-frills” design—evolved over time (modern fueling/turbos) but still robust.

Pros

• A credible route to hundreds of thousands of miles with routine maintenance.
• Very low purchase price mentioned: about £1,500.

Cons / caveats

• No specific major drawbacks mentioned beyond the brand being overlooked.

User experience

• Presented as a “perfect example” of being undervalued due to badge perception.

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2) Citroën C1 & Peugeot 107 (1.0 petrol preferred)

Main points / features

• Two French city cars developed alongside and on a shared platform with the Toyota Aygo.
• The video claims they are “practically identical” under the skin, but the Aygo sells for more (brand premium).

Pros

• Brand influence drives higher prices for the Toyota variant; these often cost less.
• Reliability expectations carry over from the Aygo platform.

Cons / caveats

• Engine choice matters:
  • Avoid the 1.2 PureTech, due to a wet belt issue.
  • Choose the 1.0 engine as the “reliable little” option.

User experience

• The narrator notes people often recoil from the French brands, but recommends them based on the platform/engine relationship.

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3) Ford Fiesta Mk7 (1.25 petrol or 1.4 diesel)

Main points / features

• Positioned as a “gem” Ford model despite Ford’s reputation for later unreliability.
• Narrator’s past example: a delivery Fiesta used 14 hours/day and accumulated hundreds of thousands of miles with only routine service (notably “odd oil change”).
• Both 1.25 petrol and 1.4 diesel are described as reliable.

Pros

• Strong real-world durability story.
• Two engine options that are said to be equally reliable.

Cons / caveats

• The comparison implies modern Fords have reputational problems (e.g., wet belt EcoBoost + PowerShift issues), so this is a “back-in-the-day” Ford pick.

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4) Citroën C3 (HDI 1.4 diesel; avoid newer HDI variants)

Main points / features

• Another “brand-new-to-most-people” reliability pick: robust HDI diesel.
• Claimed to be shared across other Peugeot/Citroën models (including smaller ones like the C2).
• Video claims these cars can remain on the road after 200,000–250,000 miles, often with the 1.4 fitted.

Pros

• Absolute bargains compared to Japanese rivals.
• Good chance of long life if you find the right engine generation.

Cons / caveats

• Avoid newer HDI engines:
  • 1.5 and 1.6 are said to be less survivable due to AdBlue and stricter emission control complexity.
• Avoid the 16-valve version (only ran until about 2005–2006) due to injector problems.
• Also advised: prefer a later car and/or ensure it’s the 8-valve, not the problematic variant.

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5) Mazda 6 2.0 SkyActiv petrol (undervalued vs Accord/Avensis)

Main points / features

• Mazda 6 is described as consistently underpriced compared with Honda Accord or Toyota Avensis.
• Likely undervaluation reason: many cars were spec’d with the 2.2L diesel, which was “pretty dreadful.”

Pros

• If you find a good example with the basic 2.0 petrol, it’s described as a solid car.
• Price claim: “pay thousands less” than the Honda/Toyota alternatives.

Cons / caveats

• Diesel bad experience apparently causes buyers to avoid the model broadly.
• Diesel issues mentioned:
  • Oil dilution
  • Timing chain problems
  • (Also “amongst a host of other issues”)

Comparisons made

• Honda vs alternatives: Honda/Toyota are framed as reliable but priced at a premium.
• Toyota Aygo vs French twins (C1/107): same platform/under-skin similarity → Toyota costs more due to brand.
• Modern Ford vs older Fiesta Mk7: explains Ford’s “fallen from grace” reputation, while arguing Fiesta Mk7 is the exception.
• Mazda 6 vs Accord/Avensis: Mazda 6 petrol is cheaper “for no good reason,” with the blame placed on widespread negative perceptions from the diesel variant.

Pros (overall)

Most of the cars are positioned as:

• Long-life / high-mileage capable
• Cheaper than Honda/Toyota equivalents
• Often undervalued due to brand or engine-choice misconceptions

Cons / risks (overall)

The video emphasizes that reliability depends on choosing the correct engine variant, especially:

• Citroën/Peugeot city cars: avoid 1.2 PureTech wet belt
• Citroën C3: avoid newer 1.5/1.6 HDI due to AdBlue complexity; avoid early 16-valve injector-prone versions
• Mazda 6: avoid the 2.2 diesel; choose 2.0 petrol

It also warns to vet used cars carefully regardless of reputation.

Reliability vetting advice (not a car feature)

• Check MOT history via Vehicle-Score.
• Consider an HPI check (mentioned cost: £8 or £9) to catch issues like:
  • hidden finance
  • crash damage / written-off and rebuilt cars

Numerical / rating mentions

• 80% of viewers on the channel are said to be not subscribed (channel metric; not a product rating).
• Price/numbers mentioned:
  • Astra H estimated around £1,500
  • High-mileage expectations: hundreds of thousands of miles, and C3 200,000–250,000 mi
  • HPI check cost: £8 or £9

Overall verdict / recommendation

Recommended approach: If buying used and prioritizing reliability-per-pound, the video strongly suggests these five models—especially when paired with the “right” engine variants—can deliver Honda/Toyota-like peace of mind for less money.

However, it repeatedly warns that you must select the correct engine generation and do proper background checks (MOT/HPI) to avoid hidden purchase risks.

Speakers / perspectives

• A single primary narrator provides all car recommendations and anecdotal/engine-history context.
• A friend’s perspective is briefly included regarding skepticism toward the C1/107 recommendation, while the technical recommendation remains the narrator’s.