RELIABILITY is crucial for most of us when we buy a car - quite often the most important thing.

But buy a recent model of a car with a transferable five year warranty and that worry disappears - especially when it's the Hyundai i30 - because its more reliable than the VW Golf or the Ford Focus.

Hyundai's reputation for reliability is so good that you will probably never have to use that warranty, and its cars also come cheaper than many competitors secondhand.

The i30 hatch and estate are roomy and practical family cars, with better than average rear legroom and a big boot.

Engines in the model built since 2012 are 1.4 and 1.6 petrol with 108 and 120bhp and 1.6 turbo diesel with 110, 128 or 136bhp.

All are smooth, reasonably quiet, very economical and have plenty of power for the weight.

The clutch is light and gearchange smooth and the power steering has decent feel in the corners.

The ride is comfortable over just about every type of surface, and although the handling is not quite as accomplished as the best in class, it's very close behind and most owners would never notice.

The level of standard equipment is excellent, with air con, front electric windows, central locking and a good stereo on even the most basic 1.4-litre.

They also have six airbags and stability control which puts them ahead of much of the opposition. Other equipment is well ahead of other similarly priced cars.