Car buying advice

[GORDYDJ]

I have come to the decision that it would make sense to buy a car with cheaper tax rather than fix my own. Needs both drives. A water pump. And the A/C needs regassing. Since fitting new thermostat engine has started to idle rough
I have shortlisted a couple of MK2's. And would like opinions on which is better value for money

Car 1
1.6 TDI, MOT to NOVEMBER 2025, Cheap tax and insurance, Manual, 118k, Start Stop, 18” Alloy wheels, Mark on the passenger door easily fixed.
Not mentioned in the ad. One of the pictures shows it has the climatronic A/C £20 Tax
£1950
Red

Car 2

SEAT LEON S COPA CR TDI ECOMOTIVE​

Diesel 1.6
MOT 5/5/2025
136460 miles
Full service, new wishbone, drop links, spring, tyres like new, new heater motor, new wiper motor
Open to offers
£0 Tax
£1800
Silver (better looking in my opinion)
Thanks in advance

 

[GORDYDJ]

I also have my eye on a 2014 Vauxhall Insignia MOT to June 2025 134k miles & £0 Tax £1850 2.0 diesel

 

[R3k1355]

Does it have to be a diesel?

The older they get the more the problems stack up and more it's going to cost when it goes wrong.

 

[GORDYDJ]

No they don't have to be. But at a sub £2000 budget, choices can be limited. I think the few petrol Leon's I did find were older than 2011 and in a higher taxation band.
Milage I tink, nowadays is not the concern it used to be. Mine has nearly 210,000 and barely uses any oil.
I'm quite drawn to the silver one as it's the Copa version. Unfortunately by the time I'm in a position to buy, they could be gone.