Diana is certainly correct about aiming to buy a high-rise vehicle. It doesn't have to be massive – the Rover 25 was actually only supermini- sized inside – and there are a lot more cars with raised seating layouts. This means that getting in and out is easier for those with mobility issues. Certainly, many older Independent readers have found over the years that going for a compact people carrier or similar tall supermini has transformed their motoring lives.

Diana mentioned the Hyundai Matrix in her email as a model that had been recommended to her, but we can certainly suggest plenty of other options.

As for her old Rover, she should keep her options open and consider a private sale to net a bigger return. That £600 looks a fairly big ding and she should shop around for a cheaper repair quote. At the moment, it sounds as if she wouldn't get more than £1,000 as a part exchange; she may manage closer to £2,000 without the repair being done, depending on mileage.

A car for the heart

Let's offer Diana a vehicle that isn't much bigger than a Rover 25 and has versatility and a driving position she should adore. Add to that a reputation for reliability and really she can't go wrong with a Nissan Note (pictured, left). What we have here is a typical supermini that has been given the practicality of a small people carrier. Inside it feels a much larger vehicle than it really is because of the higher roofline and the way in which the car has been organised. It is easy to get four adults inside with plenty of room to spare, and it helps that the rear bench seat slides back and forward so the perfect adjustment can be made between luggage and passenger space. There are countless cubbies for oddments and the dashboard layout is clear and easy to use. The 1.4 petrol engine should be more than adequate, while it is worth finding the SE model that has air conditioning as standard. Go to a Nissan dealer and it is easy enough to find low-mileage examples that will have the balance of the manufacturer warranty. I found just such a model, a 2007 SE with a little over 8,000 miles, for Diana's budget of £10,000. I think she should take a closer look.

A car for the head

The Hyundai Matrix is a solid and sensible, if dull, choice. One reason it has not been a bigger success is that the rear seat does not move. This may not bother Diana at all. So she could find one to drive and see if it suits her. With £10,000 to spend, she will have the choice of many examples registered in 2007 by Hyundai dealers and car supermarkets.

Otherwise, there is always the Ford Focus C-Max – a five-seat compact people carrier with a height-adjustable driver's seat. Here is a car that is nice to drive with a good degree of practicality. The Zetec specification has air conditioning and is the minimum that Diana should go for. There are loads around, especially at car supermarkets, and low-mileage 2007 examples (1,800 on the clock) can be bought for £10,000.