I'd also add a Mazda 5 to your list, along with a Toyota Previa (if you can find a good one).

Edited by Adampr on 10/01/2023 at 23:04

whilst I like the Mazda 5, as an auto they’re all imports (UK only produced manuals),

Not the case on either count. Automatic versions were available to buy here new. And the UK did not produce any Mazda 5's, they were all made in Japan and Taiwan.

Not an awful lot of interior space though compared to a Sharan or Estima.

Thanks - I've seen a few comments on the older engine issues so was going to look into how I tell the difference, but you have just made my life significantly easier, thank you!

I don't suppose you're aware of any other 'common' Sharan faults/issues at all? There are rather more posts about the Estima being bulletproof and reliable than I can find of the Sharan, but I can't particularly find any bad ones either (other than early engine issues), so I'm going on the assumption no news is good news...

Not really sure why you don't want a Mazda 5 if it is an import, but are happy with an Estima import?. JDM imports will invariably be much better equipped than the equivalent sold new in the UK. Pretty much all of them will be petrol auto and at your budget I'd expect pretty much all of them to have power sliding doors. Power tailgate?, on bigger stuff maybe, not sure about mid sized ones though.

Have I missed anything worth considering

Yes, pretty much any other JDM import MPV (as well as the Estima). Including other Toyota's, the Alphard, Vellfire, Noah and Voxy. The Honda Elysion, Odyssey, and Stepwagon. Nissan Elgrand and Serena. Mazda Biante.

Just to be clear, all reputable JDM import specialist's will underseal it as a matter of course. And if you have one of those in your area there is no reason to fear running a JDM import.

I really don't want a car that handles like a container ship as I drive country lanes every day - but I expect the Sharan isn't going to be leaps and bounds better in this area...?

A VW Sharan of the age your budget would allow is longer and wider than any of the above, including the Estima.