If you just want a runabout or a shopping trolley, a Fiesta is ideal. Tough, reliable, cheap to fix. Will rust away to nothing eventually, like most cars.
Not sure about Auto Trader � mostly dealers ... you�d get much better value buying privately, even on ebay.
One advertised privately in the local paper could prove to be the best buy of all. You need to know how to give it a quick inspection though.
If you want something reliable and that will hold the value for when you sell it on then buy German. Try and stick to Audi, VW, Seat, Skoda, BMW, Merc etc.. I've owned about 5 VWs and never had a prob. 1 starter motor in 2 years on the 1 golf. I now have an a3 and its great. Seat's are cheaper as their not german but all parts are vw. Small engines are off a polo and big engines are off a golf.
Volkswagen Golf -built to last ,can be more expensive than other makes though
Toyota Corolla-bit boring but ultra-reliable
Skoda Fabia-great if you don't mind the badge
Nissan Micra-as Toyaota but a bit smaller
Daihatsu Sirion-something different but Japanese so again reliable
Stay away from French and Italian makes at that price i.e Peugeot,Citroen,Fiat,Alfa
My niece has a Perodua Kelisa.It's a brillant little car and for �2000 you could have a nearly new one 54 plate maybe.
Stick the name into Autotrader search and see what you think.Uses Diahatsu running gear and does about 50mpg