older

CRUZ Beckham has paid a sweet tribute to girlfriend Jackie Apostel to celebrate her milestone birthday.

The 20-year-old was performing with his band in Birmingham last night, where he paid tribute to his older partner.

Jackie, who’s just turned 30, was watching from the crowd as her friend filmed the adorable moment unfold.

Cruz has been doing secret sets all around the UK, including a gig wearing his dad David’s football shirt.

“Someone… very close to me. It’s her birthday. Erm, I wrote this song about them,” he said on stage on Saturday night.

As the camera pans to Jackie, she says, “I’m going to cry, that’s so…”

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HAPPY FAMILIES

Victoria Beckham calls Cruz’s girlfriend Jackie the ‘sweetest, kindest soul’

CLASSY CLAPBACK

Cruz Beckham’s girlfriend Jackie Apostel, 29, hits back at age gap abuse

The youngest Beckham boy also shared a gushing tribute on his Instagram, uploading happy snaps alongside Jackie.

“Happy birthday @jackieapostel. Another time around the globe, I love you baby,” he wrote alongside a childhood snap of his partner.

“@jackieapostel I love you to the moon and back.”

The festivities appeared to continue backstage, with Jackie sharing videos as Cruz put on a mini party for his girlfriend.

Surrounded by birthday balloons, she posed for a mirror selfie as Cruz is seen in the background organising a cake.

Another angle shows the giant chocolate tray surrounded by candles as the singer hand-delivered the sweet treat.

It comes after Cruz’s parents, Victoria and David Beckham, also shared birthday messages for Jackie’s special day.

Taking to her Instagram, Posh Spice wrote: “To the sweetest, kindest, most beautiful soul. We all love you soooo much.”

Tagging Jackie in the Story post, she uploaded a series of slides with pictures of them both at various glitzy events.

“Happy birthday, we hope you have an amazing day and can’t wait to celebrate with you,” she added alongside a snap of Jackie and Cruz.

Victoria added: “We all love you @jackie.apostel.”

David also uploaded a couple of pics of the pair on his Instagram.

“Happy birthday to a very special person inside and out,” he said.

“Thank you for making my son the best version of himself.”

The couple faced cruel trolling for their age gap. Cruz, who turns 21 next year, met Jackie at Glastonbury Festival and they began dating in June 2024.

The pair made their love Instagram official back in October that year, coming under fire for their near decade-long age gap.

SHOP TO IT

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MURDER PROBE

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“Why is a 29-year-old dating a 20. That’s just weird. I’m talking about Jackie dating Cruz,” a troll penned on social media.

At the time, Jackie wrote back, “Because he’s kind, funny, smart, caring, driven, mature, talented, loyal, and also quite handsome.”

Winning tip: rediscovering Interrail 45 years on

I went Interrailing at 16 – so decided to do it again at 61! My wife and I bought our passes for all of Europe (under £500 for one-month unlimited rail trips) and it was great to rediscover the sense of freedom and adventure travelling by train gave. Having a romantic dinner in Paris, getting on the night train and having coffee and croissants for breakfast in Nice on the Côte d’Azur for example. I corrected the teenage mistake of trying to do too much and see too many places so we lingered longer in places such as Poland and Romania, soaking up the atmosphere in Wrocław and Bucharest. It was interesting to compare the speed, quality and comfort of train services too. We found that sometimes slow travel was better – like when we got on the wrong train from Rome to Naples, allowing us to appreciate the scenery, locals and way of life of people who were not in a hurry. The trip was a learning experience at 61 as much as it had been at 16.
Peter

Flight and fancy-free, cycling from Saint-Malo to Nice

In pursuit of a flight-free adventure, we packed our bikes (and several panniers) on to the Eurostar for a three-week cycling trip across France. Our initial worries about sore legs and flat tyres quickly faded away as we pedalled along comfortable cycle lanes in the picturesque French countryside, fuelled by village boulangeries and cold local beer. We covered 1,040 miles from Saint-Malo to Nice via the Dordogne, staying in B&Bs or rented apartments each night (from £100 per night). Highlights included stops for refreshing swims in rivers, avoiding airport chaos, and proving that holidays in your 60s can be active and fun.
Karen and Andrew

I put away the atlas and had the time of my life in Powys

I turned 60 in 2015. With one eye on my pension settlement and another on the atlas, I dreamed of travelling the world, staying in breathtaking locations with stupendous views. I never realised that the most rewarding stay would be in a tiny cabin in Clyro, Powys. Was it the compact design, the comfortable bed, the picture windows framed by woods and pasture? Partly, but more importantly I learned how little I needed to feel happy and comfortable. In this beautiful woodland setting, within walking distance of a pub and not too far from twee little Hay-on-Wye, I had everything I needed.
Linda

I went to Japan for the cherry blossom – and saw it at its peak

At 69, I embarked on an 18-day solo adventure across Japan. My goal was to witness the cherry blossom, and I saw it at its peak. Starting in Osaka, my journey led me through Kyoto, Kobe, Okayama, Kurashiki and finally Tokyo. I wandered through historic gardens unchanged for centuries, admired weeping cherry trees along riverbanks, and watched sakura reflections dance across still ponds. Every path seemed lined with blossom, and side trips to shrines, temples and castles deepened the sense of timeless wonder.
Marilisa Fiorani

Squabbles and giggles from London to San Sebastián

Five female friends from York to Brighton, collected over 54 years from university, between 74 and 84, do rail trips round Europe. Last year we did London to Paris, staying in La Rochelle, Bordeaux and San Sebastián. We are like an extended marriage, dipping in and out of shared history, politics, and to disagree and insult each other with only temporary hurt. It takes months of planning, each person booking accommodation or part of the rail journey – which is where the Man in Seat 61 is so helpful. We are three vegetarians, two meat eaters, four fish eaters, two teetotallers. At an amazing fish restaurant in La Rochelle, one of the two vegetarians asked: “Couldn’t you do us an omelette?” The waiter chased them away rather angrily, but the rest of us had delicious seafood with good wine. In La Rochelle we disagreed over the way to the Airbnb. Running late, we were greeted with applause by the owner’s mother, who had spotted five old ladies with backpacks and wheelie suitcases from many metres away!
Sue

Brittany on two wheels is heaven

Earlier this summer, at 64, I used a 22-year-old van conversion as a base for exploring Brittany’s Gulf of Morbihan by bicycle. Pedalling along deserted lanes and canal paths, I discovered picture-book villages and towns, tidal creeks, coastal cliffs and ancient woodlands. I came across dolmens and menhirs, medieval castles and Nazi bunkers, and took ferries to car-free islands with empty beaches and incredible views. I rode to creperies for lunch and restaurants for dinner, ate like a king and slept like a baby. For a 64-year-old on two wheels, Brittany is nothing short of heaven.
Kelvin Atkins

Bewildering but beautiful Baku, Azerbaijan

The old town in Baku, Azerbaijan, is a bewildering labyrinth of alleys and roads, all packed inside fortified walls. Islamic, Russian colonial and post-independence influences merge in the architecture. A palace, mosques, museums, galleries and caravanserais are jammed together in delightful disarray. One highlight is the Maiden Tower, certainly 12th century and possibly once a Zoroastrian fire temple. The Philharmonic Garden, just beyond the wall, provides a calming green space. We enjoyed our stay at the Two Seasons boutique hotel in Sabir Street, and would recommend it.
Alex

I left my comfort zone for Turkmenistan

Visiting five former-Soviet “stans” in 34 days was destined to be challenging, regardless of age. But when you’re a pampered, weak-bladdered 65-year-old, yurt camps with outdoor toilets and shared facilities in family homes were not within my comfort zone. Crossing into countries with difficult neighbouring relationships proved time-consuming, with Turkmenistan, one of the world’s least visited countries, involving copious paperwork, expensive visas and, in June 2024, a Covid test. There was no ideal time to visit, and temperatures ranged from 40C to -10C at night. However, stunning scenery, friendly people and ubiquitous plov (a rice-based pilaf), meant I not only survived the trip but thoroughly loved it.
Helen Jackson

A trek to a holy valley in Nepal

In 2017, aged 69 and with friends, I took an eight-hour minibus journey from Kathmandu then walked for four days to get to the Tsum valley, a remote Himalayan valley close to the Nepalese border with Tibet. The path was about 3,000 metres high and was surrounded by the 7,000-metre peaks of the Ganesh Himāl; we found people living without mechanisation, roads, vehicles or wifi. Buddhists regard it as a beyul, a hidden and holy refuge to be discovered when it is feared the planet is approaching destruction and the world has become too corrupt for spiritual practice. It seemed an appropriate place to be, then and now. I planned the journey using Kathmandu-based trekking company Beyond the Limits.
Michael Wilson

Pedalling through Portugal’s Alentejo

My friend and I are both in our early 60s and love cycling in Portugal. It’s safe, has bicycle-considerate drivers and we always meet lovely, helpful local people. In September, we began our self-mapped tour in the southern Alentejo town of Évora, pedalling our way through remote, beautiful, rolling countryside, to our final destination of Olhão with its beautiful beaches, on the Algarve’s eastern coast.
Ruth Morris

FROM a chic bob to a full mane of long, voluminous waves, Victoria Beckham has had her fair share of different hairstyles over the years.

But while her cut has chopped and changed, ‘Posh Spice,’ whose much-anticipated Netflix documentary is set to be released tomorrow, has always stayed true to her consistent chocolate brown hair shade.

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While she’s occasionally mixed it up with some honey-toned highlights, her latest autumnal look is perhaps her most vibrant yet.

And now, Josh Wood, the hair stylist responsible, has spoken out about the 51-year-old’s recent hair transformation – and the colour you should always avoid if you’re in your 50s.

While the hair says the former Spice Girl has always been aware of the cuts and tones that suit her, he points out that not everyone is.

“The biggest mistake women in their 50s can make is going too dark, which can age the hair and make it look flat,” he says, speaking to Hello!

“It’s always best to speak to your colourist about a shade that complements your skin tone and lifestyle.”

He goes on to highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy routine which includes using heat protection and conditioner – adding that avoiding these can gradually dull your colour and damage your locks.

Victoria, who is married to David Beckham, most recently showed off her new do as she presented her SS26 collection at Paris Fashion Week.

Josh, whose A-list clientele also includes David Bowie, goes on to say how he wanted to make the fashion icon’s hair appear more “luxurious and rich” as autumn approaches.

Speaking of how he achieved the warm look, he adds that Victoria already had “great natural colour and highlights,” so he used glosses to tone her ends and enhance her own natural lights.

As for his expert recommendations, the hair whizz advises the “Chocolate Gloss” and “Glossing Water” from his own brand.

“Chocolate is a more ‘neutral’ brunette hair colour; not as warm as Chestnut, or as cool as Smoky, but a beautiful, velvety chocolate brown is flattering for all skin tones,” he concludes.

EXCLUSIVE: Hollyoaks and Loose Women star Sherrie Hewson says older television viewers are being treated like “coffin dodgers” and more older people need to be seen on screen

Sherrie Hewson says TV bosses need to make more shows with older people in them.

The former Loose Women star, 75, believes mature telly fans are being treated like “coffin dodgers” and broadcasters are “chasing the young and forgetting the old”.

According to a new report called The Upper Third, commissioned by Freeview broadcaster Great! TV, more than a quarter of viewers feel forgotten by today’s TV producers, despite watching more television than any other age group.

The Great! network – including Great! TV, Great! Action, Great! Mystery, and Great! Romance – is relaunching for the very audiences who feel left behind by normal TV, prioritising much-loved and classic, high-quality TV series and movies.

Speaking about the campaign, Sherrie said: “This is a brilliant campaign and long overdue. If you lived in my world, you’d know this is exactly what people want.

“Today’s TV so often chases the young and forgets the rest but for many of us, the joy of great television has always been simple – you just watch a show and you laugh, or you don’t. Funny is funny.

“Look at the adverts on television, you never see older people in adverts unless they’re in a funeral parlour or a cremation or life insurance. It’s like we’re being treated like coffin dodgers or something.”

She continued: “I did the remake of Are You Being Served? and I played Mrs Slocombe and we got something like eight million viewers for that one episode and every character in that is older. Everybody loved it.

“You don’t have to remake these shows but just make the older shows more accessible so people can see them.”

Sherrie thinks entertainment shows such as Naked Attraction are taking too greater priority over the dramas and sitcoms she grew up loving.

She added: “Somebody’s paid to have these commissioned and I don’t get it. Maybe it’s because I’m the age I am but my daughter who’s 40 thinks its awful to so it’s not just me.”

Sherrie is currently playing Martha Blake in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, the mother of serial killer Jeremy Blake (Jeremy Sheffield).

She is also known for playing Maureen Holdsworth in Coronation Street, Lesley Meredith in Emmerdale, Joyce Temple-Savage in Benidorm and for her stint as Loose Women panellist.

It’s an unfortunate reality that older adults, who have had more time to accumulate wealth, are at an increased risk of being targeted by some fraudsters — and of losing more money per fraud incident. However, the risk might not affect everyone equally. In research by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, certain behaviors and characteristics were found to be associated with an increased risk of fraud victimization in older adults.

Some of these risk factors include: engagement in activities that increase fraud exposure, such as opening all of your mail (especially unsolicited marketing materials or sweepstakes announcements), participating in conversations with telemarketers and answering unknown calls or texts; a preference for higher financial risk; loneliness; and financial fragility.

How to Help Reduce Risk

Reduce your exposure. Cut off contact before it starts by taking precautions like declining or blocking calls from unknown numbers, deleting messages from unknown senders, saying no to or hanging up on telemarketing offers, and throwing away junk mail. If you suspect a text message or email is spam, block and report the sender.

Ignore promises of big rewards. There are no guarantees with investing. Look out for red flags like promises of risk-free investing, guaranteed returns and high profits. Be especially wary if you were solicited for an investment when you weren’t even looking for one. Likewise, competitions and prize drawings, particularly if they require an upfront fee, are often fraudulent.

Check out sellers and products. Be alert to signs of imposter investment scams and, before you make any investment, research the seller and the product to make sure they’re legitimate and a good fit for you. You can look up financial professionals using FINRA BrokerCheck to confirm whether they’re registered and/or licensed and view their employment history.

Stay connected. If you’re struggling with feelings of loneliness, try to bolster your existing relationships or seek new connections in person, rather than virtually. Unfortunately, random contact from strangers online or via text message is all too often the start of a scam. Reach out to family and friends, if possible, whether in person or from a distance, and look for opportunities to participate in community programs and interact with others.

Monitor your emotions. Don’t make investing decisions in a rush or when your emotions are strong. Take time to think things over — or even better, talk over decisions with someone you trust.

Practice healthy financial habits. To bolster your sense of financial security, develop a budget for yourself and try to build an emergency fund. If you’re not sure where to start, look for money management webinars and/or financial counseling services offered by banks, libraries and local nonprofit organizations.

Increase your financial knowledge. Having a foundational knowledge about financial products and the basics of investing can make fraudulent offers easier to spot. If you have a brokerage account, make sure you know how to read your account statements, and take steps to protect your financial accounts like adding a trusted contact.

Stay informed about fraud. The more people hear about different scams, the less susceptible they are, which is a great reason to keep learning. Educate yourself about the red flags of fraud and current scams to be on the lookout for. Organizations like AARP and the BBB can help you learn about and track current scams. You can also look for coverage by your local news outlet, or discuss the matter with people you trust.

Resources

If you have a question or concern about your brokerage account or an investment recommendation, you can call FINRA’s Securities Helpline for Seniors toll-free at 844-574-3577. You can also file a complaint about a brokerage firm with FINRA or submit a tip about possible securities fraud to the SEC.

If you think you’ve been the victim of a scam, report it to law enforcement.

And if you’re experiencing emotional effects from fraud, there are resources available to help.

Learn more about protecting your money.

The 401(k) account is one of the most common retirement savings accounts that employers offer their workers. Employees are able to contribute pre-tax dollars to these accounts and invest them tax-deferred. Only when withdrawals are made do the account holders pay taxes at their ordinary tax rate.

Employers have the option to offer some kind of matching contribution, usually up to a set percentage of each employee’s salary. Employer contributions are deductible up to a certain point.

With everyone making different salaries and employers having different policies for their 401(k) plans, it’s natural for workers to wonder how much they should save as they approach retirement. While there is no single right answer, available data can help you gauge where you stand.

Image source: Getty Images.

The average 401(k) balance for retirees age 60 and older

While several companies provide data on the average 401(k) balance, I like to use Fidelity when I can, given the company’s size and reputation in the space.

At the end of 2024, Fidelity looked at 401(k) data from 26,700 corporate defined contribution plans that included 24.5 million participants. The company found that the average 401(k) balance was $246,500 for ages 60 to 64, $251,400 for ages 65 to 69, and $250,000 for ages 70 and over.

Fidelity actually recommends saving much more than this amount. In prior articles, the company has suggested having eight times your annual salary by age 60 and 10 times your annual salary by age 67. With median annual earnings for a full-time U.S. worker above $50,000, Fidelity’s recommendation is far higher than the approximately $250,000 average balance for its plan participants near retirement.

But again, there’s always a difference between advice and reality. Retirees should also understand that an average number among tens of millions of people captures so many different scenarios. Ultimately, retirees should think about the lifestyle they want in retirement and work with a financial advisor or on their own to determine how much they need to support that lifestyle.

WASHINGTON — President Trump recently had a medical checkup after noticing “mild swelling” in his lower legs and was found to have a condition common in older adults that causes blood to pool in his veins, the White House said Thursday.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said tests by the White House medical unit showed that Trump has chronic venous insufficiency, which occurs when little valves inside the veins that normally help move blood against gravity gradually lose the ability to work properly.

Leavitt also addressed bruising on the back of Trump’s hand, seen in recent photos covered by makeup that was not an exact match to his skin tone. She said the bruising was “consistent” with irritation from his “frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin.” Trump takes aspirin to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

She said during her briefing that her disclosure of Trump’s medical checkup was meant to dispel recent speculation about the 79-year-old president’s health. Nonetheless, the announcement was notable given that the Republican president has routinely kept secret basic facts about his health.

Trump in April had a comprehensive physical exam with more than a dozen medical specialists. The three-page report released then by the White House did not include a finding of chronic venous insufficiency. At the time, Trump’s doctor, Sean Barbabella, determined that the president’s joints and muscles had a full range of motion, with normal blood flow and no swelling.

Leavitt did not say when Trump first noticed the swelling in his lower legs. As part of the president’s routine medical care and out of an “abundance of caution,” she said he had a “comprehensive exam” that included vascular, lower extremity and ultrasound testing.

She noted that chronic venous insufficiency is a benign condition that is common in people older than 70.

She said the tests revealed no evidence of deep vein thrombosis, a more serious medical condition in which a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body, usually in the legs. Nor was there any evidence of arterial disease, she said, reading a letter from Barbabella.

People often are advised to lose weight, walk for exercise and elevate their legs periodically, and some may be advised to wear compression stockings. Severe cases over time can lead to complications including lower leg sores called ulcers. Blood clots are one cause, but was ruled out, Leavitt said.

Leavitt said the condition wasn’t causing the president discomfort. She wouldn’t discuss how he was treating the condition and suggested those details would be in the doctor’s letter, which was released to the public. But the letter was the same as what she read, and it did not include additional details.

Dr. Anahita Dua, a vascular surgeon at Mass General Brigham who has never treated Trump, said there is no cure for chronic venous insufficiency.

“The vast majority of people, probably including our president, have a mild to moderate form of it,” Dua said.

People with the condition can reduce the swelling by wearing medical-grade compression socks or stockings, to help the blood circulate back to the heart, or by walking, she said.

The exam the White House disclosed Thursday included other testing that found no signs of heart failure, renal impairment or systemic illness in Trump, Leavitt said.

“The president remains in excellent health, which I think all of you witness on a daily basis here,” she told reporters.

Superville and Neergaard write for the Associated Press.

A WOMAN has revealed that she is in an age gap relationship with a man who is 27 years older than her.

Sass, 27, from London, is dating her 54-year-old boyfriend, who she calls her “silver fox.”

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The self-proclaimed “spoiled girlfriend” lives a luxury lifestyle with skiing trips to Vail Village, Colorado, designer bags, posh hotel stays and delicious meals out.

But now, the content creator has found herself on the receiving end of a barrage of abuse from mean trolls who have criticised her relationship dynamic.

Not only were keyboard warriors “disgusted” by the age gap, but others told her to choose “self-respect over money.” 

It came after Sass took to social media to show off her age gap relationship, leaving many open-mouthed.

Alongside a gorgeous picture of Sass and her partner before an evening out, she confirmed that while she was born in 1997, her man was welcomed into the world much earlier, in 1970. 

But Sass, who “doesn’t date younger”, was eager to set the record straight on her relationship, as she wrote: “If you know us as individuals, us as a couple makes sense. 

“Those we know in real life understand, are supportive and happy for us.”

Not only this, but she claimed that her man is “highly educated, emotionally intelligent, financially secure”, has “a great personality and is hot.”

As a result, she confirmed: “I’m happy as Larry.”

The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @sweetheartsass, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 136,800 views, 4,372 likes and 391 comments. 

But social media users were totally divided by Sass’ relationship – while some accused her of doing “anything for money”, others were supportive. 

One person said: “Lol my dad was born in 1977 and me in 1994. If they’re old enough to be your parent, it’s not right, sorry.” 

Anything for money and a lifestyle I guess

TikTok user

But to this, Sass eagerly clapped back and snapped: “I literally do not care about you and your dad. Go away.” 

Another slammed: “Self respect over money!” 

A-list age gap relationships that have stood the test of time

1. Kris Jenner & Corey Gamble – 25 years
   The Kardashian matriarch, 69, met her younger man, 44, at a mutual friend’s 40th birthday party in Ibiza. They’ve been together since August 2014.
2. Sam & Aaron Taylor-Johnson – 23 years
   The director, 57, and actor, 34, reportedly met at a film audition in 2009, and were married by 2012. The pair share two daughters and Sam has two children from a previous marriage.
3. Rosie-Huntington-Whiteley & Jason Statham – 20 years
   The model, 37, started dating actor Jason, 57, in 2010. They were wed in 2016 and have since welcomed a son and a daughter together.
4. Catherine Zeta-Jones & Michael Douglas – 25 years
   Catherine, 55, was introduced to Michael, 80, a film festival in 1996 and engaged three years later. Shortly after their engagement, the couple welcomed a son and married in 2000.

And a third commented: “Anything for money and a lifestyle I guess.” 

But at the same time, one user said: “Why are people disgusted with this? It’s not for them so why is it your issue? Not every relationship is a design to fit the usual expectations.” 

According to the comments I’ve committed a crime

Sass

A second chimed in: “I love this! She’s well looked after and if you look at their videos they look really happy. As women all we want is security and love and that’s what she’s getting regardless of the age gap!” 

Meanwhile, someone else gushed: “As long as you’re happy, it doesn’t matter what the person looks like, how old they are or who they are. Love is Love.” 

In response to the rude remarks, clearly unbothered, Sass later laughed: “According to the comments I’ve committed a crime.”

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DRIVERS looking to buy an affordable but reliable older motor should consider one of these top 10 picks from the Which? annual car survey.

The consumer group has revealed a list of cars it recommends with five-star reliability ratings between 10-15 years old, some for less than £3,000.

From nippy city cars to big family SUVs, there are options for all drivers hunting for a bargain buy that doesn’t scrimp on quality.

Michael Passingham, senior researcher at Which?, told thisismoney that hybrid cars have come to dominate the list of most reliable, older vehicles.

He said: “Why do these cars perform so well? One reason could be that the hardest part of a car’s life – starting and pulling away – are mostly handled by the small electric motor.

“These motors have fewer moving parts than combustion engines and, along with sturdy main battery packs, really don’t have to work all that hard. 

“The downside is that our data shows a much higher failure rate of the 12V battery (the small battery all cars have) on full hybrids; this component is worked hard so it pays to buy a quality one and get it replaced every five years or so.”

In good news for consumers, so called ‘full’ hybrids’ have been removed from the 2030 ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars planned by the government.

Micheal warned against opting for a plug-in hybrid, saying that this type of car has “one of the least reliable engine types according to our data”.

Here is the full list of the 10 best buys for the most reliable older cars…

10. Toyota Auris (2012-2019)

Average used price: £4,650

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Faults: 28% Breakdowns: 7% Days off the road: 5.3

The predecessor to the Toyota Corolla, the Auris served as the brands family hatchback offering for almost two decades until it was replaced in 2019.

The second generation Auris, sold between 2012-2019, boasts impressive reliability with less than three in ten owners reporting faults in the last year, and only seven per cent saying their vehicle broke down.

The average price of £4,650 makes this a competitive option when looking for a family, and environment, friendly hatchback.

The only caveat is that the Auris took an average of 5.3 days to get back on the road after a breakdown, which is higher than other cars on this list.

9. Suzuki Alto (2009-2014)

Average used price: £2,800

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Faults: 25% Breakdowns: 1% Days off the road: 2.6

The Suzuki Alto, released in 2009, is still living up to its promise of being a cheap, compact and reliable supermini.

It was first offered for £6,000-£7,000 and now can be snapped up for less than three grand, the cheapest buy on this list.

The simplicity of the Alto makes it a particularly reliable option, with just 1 per cent reporting breakdowns in the last 12 months, and a quarter saying they had to deal with faults.

If it does need a repair, the Alto’s simplicity means it gets back to you in an average of only 2.6 days.

8. Toyota Yaris (2011-2020)

Average used price: £3,100

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Faults: 23% Breakdowns: 6% Days off the road: 3.1

The go-to small, dependable car for many in the last 25 years, the Yaris, is still making recommendation lists for its affordability and reliability.

With less than a quarter reporting faults and only 6 per cent dealing with a breakdown in the last 12 months, the Yaris still holds up remarkably well after all this time.

This is the 2011-2020 model with a hybrid drivetrain, an addition which makes it economical to drive as well as to buy, averaging just over £3,000.

7. Suzuki Swift (2010-2016)

Average used price: £3,500

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Faults: 27% Breakdowns: 8% Days off the road: 1.4 

Suzuki appears again on this list with the 2010-2016 Swift supermini, a compact, simple vehicle at a compelling price.

Received positively upon release, the Swift was praised for being fun to drive with a competitive blend of efficiency and performance.

Now on sale for only around three and a half grand, this might be a great option for those looking for a small but fiery little motor.

Although it scores a little worse on breakdowns, with 8 per cent being the highest on this list, it does only spend a brief 1.4 days in the shop when things do go wrong.

Couple this with a good score of 27 per cent reporting faults, and this characterful car is still a good buy in 2025.

6. BMW X1 (2009-2015)

Average used price: £5,200

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Faults: 35% Breakdowns: 7% Days off the road: 2.1

In a shock entry to this list, the BMW X1 is an outlier for luxury SUVs, which are often unreliable and costly to repair.

On the contrary, the X1 competes with other, much smaller, simpler cars with a respectable record of just 7 per cent reporting breakdowns last year and only 2.1 days taken to fix on average.

Consumers may be able to take advantage of typically low SUV resale prices, generally due to reliability and repair cost concerns, to pick up this hidden gem for a very reasonable price of around £5,000.

That said, the X1 does rank low on this list in terms of faults, with over a third experiencing issues in the last 12 months.

5. Skoda CitiGo (2009-2019)

Average used price: £4,500

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Faults: 22% Breakdowns: 5% Days off the road: 2.8

Mechanically identical to the VW Up!, the Skoda CitiGo was meant for squeezing into tight parking spaces and down narrow streets while keeping your fuel costs and insurance premiums to a minimum.

After being discontinued five years ago, the CitiGo now makes for a tempting prospect on the second-hand market.

It was initially praised for being surprisingly roomy for being so small, and for being the cheaper alternative to the Up! while essentially being the same car.

It boasts impressive reliability, with only 22 per cent reporting faults and 5 per cent experiencing a break down.

The CitiGo is fairly quick to repair as well, only spending 2.8 days at the garage before being ready for more.

4. Honda Jazz (2008-2015)

Average used price: £3,800

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Faults: 25% Breakdowns: 4% Days off the road: 2.7

Almost exclusively driven by those of a certain age, the Honda Jazz is popular amongst the older demographic for a reason: its convenient, reliable and easy to drive.

These attributes might get Grandma excited, but they should also make the Jazz an attractive option for anyone looking for a solid vehicle at a bargain price.

One in four owners reported a fault with their cars and the average time in the garage was 2.7 days being fixed by mechanics.

Your Jazz shouldn’t be seeing the inside of a garage too often though, with only 4 per cent breaking down in the last year.

3. Lexus RX 450h (2009-2015)

Average used price: £6,400 

10

Faults: 16% Breakdowns: 0%  Days off the road: 2 

This chunky SUV was voted the most satisfying car to own in 2024 in a Which? survey.

A glance at the cars record quickly confirms that one of the factors that make it so popular must be its excellent reliability.

Looking at the hybrid-powered models here, only 16 per cent reported a fault in the last year and none had their RX break down on them.

For the times that the RX was sent into the garage, it only spent 2 days on average being worked on.

The price is a little higher than some others on this list, but buyers are getting both space, comfort and relatively good fuel efficiency.

2. Mazda MX-5 (2005-2015)

Average used price: £3,800

10

Faults: 26% Breakdowns: 0% Days off the road: 1.7

The iconic MX-5 speeds into the number two spot for good reason, bucking the trend of unreliable sports car to still deliver thrilling driving with solid build quality at a good price.

Hailing originally from the late 1980’s, this example of the world’s best selling roadster is the third generation MX-5, it debuted in 2005 and still holds up today.

The record from Which?’s data is flawless when it comes to breakdowns, and shows that this classic is quick to fix only spending 1.7 days in the shop.

Just over a quarter reported faults, but that’s not a huge figure when it comes to second-hand sports cars.

1. Lexus CT 200h (2011-2020)

Average used price: £7,300

10

Faults: 13% Breakdowns: 0% Days off the road: 1.2 

Topping the list as the most reliable 10 to 15 year-old car comes the Lexus CT 200h, a full hybrid hatchback which served as the brands answer to the Ford Focus and VW Golf until 2020.

CT 200h owners surveyed by Which? delivered glowing reviews, reporting zero breakdowns and only 13 per cent experiencing a fault with their car.

Drivers praised the vehicles comfort and, of course, reliability, only pointing to a small boot and clunky infotainment system as critiques, as reported by thisismoney.

The car sells for around £7,000, the priciest offering so far, but its near spotless record should mean your investment pays off with a dependable motor that is good for years to come.

The ones to steer clear of

Which? puts the diesel powered Vauxhall Zafira (2005-2014) and Nissan Qashqai (2007-20013) as two of the least reliable vehicles that consumers should steer well clear of if dependability is their aim.

The Zafira has become known for catching fires in recent years due to issues with its heater blower motor and regulator. This usually happens when owners replace parts with cheaper, aftermarket components.

It is hardly a wonder that drivers are turning to cut-price alternatives when the Zafira breaks down on three in ten owners, with more than half reporting faults in the last year.

The car also takes a whopping 14 days on average for repairs to be made.

The first generation Nissan Qashqai also from suffers reliability issues, and needs almost a week in the garage on average before it is road-ready after a malfunction.

Both these cars use diesel fuel, and Which? has found that this is by far the worst fuel type for reliability, with an average fault rate of 48 per cent, compared to 39 per cent for petrol and 23 per cent for hybrids.

NEW YORK — Christine Farro has cut back on the presents she sends her grandchildren on their birthdays, and she’s put off taking two cats and a dog for their shots. All her clothes come from thrift stores and most of her vegetables come from her garden. At 73, she has cut her costs as much as she can to live on a tight budget.

But it’s about to get far tighter.

As the Trump administration resumes collections on defaulted student loans, a surprising population has been caught in the crosshairs: hundreds of thousands of older Americans whose decades-old debts now put them at risk of having their Social Security checks garnished.

“I worked ridiculous hours. I worked weekends and nights. But I could never pay it off,” says Farro, a retired child welfare worker in Santa Ynez, Calif.

Like millions of debtors with federal student loans, Farro had her payments and interest paused by the government five years ago when the pandemic thrust many into financial hardship. That grace period ended in 2023 and, earlier this month, the Department of Education said it would restart “involuntary collections” by garnishing paychecks, tax refunds and Social Security retirement and disability benefits. Farro previously had her Social Security garnished and expects it to restart.

Farro’s loans date back 40 years. She was a single mother when she got a bachelor’s degree in developmental psychology and when she discovered she couldn’t earn enough to pay off her loans, she went back to school and got a master’s degree. Her salary never caught up. Things only got worse.

Around 2008, when she consolidated her loans, she was paying $1,000 a month, but years of missed payments and piled-on interest meant she was barely putting a dent in a bill that had ballooned to $250,000. When she sought help to resolve her debt, she says the loan company had just one suggestion.

“They said, ‘Move to a cheaper state,’” says Farro, who rents a 400-square-foot casita from a friend. “I realized I was living in a different reality than they were.”

Student loan debt among older people has grown at a staggering rate, in part due to rising tuitions that have forced more people to borrow greater sums. People 60 and older hold an estimated $125 billion in student loans, according to the National Consumer Law Center, a six-fold increase from 20 years ago.

That has led Social Security beneficiaries who have had their payments garnished to balloon by 3,000% — from approximately 6,200 beneficiaries to 192,300 — between 2001 and 2019, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

This year, an estimated 452,000 people aged 62 and older had student loans in default and are likely to experience the Department of Education’s renewed forced collections, according to the January report from CFPB.

Debbie McIntyre, a 62-year-old adult education teacher in Georgetown, Ky., is among them. She dreams of retiring and writing more historical fiction, and of boarding a plane for the first time since high school. But her husband has been out of work on disability for two decades and they’ve used credit cards to get by on his meager benefits and her paycheck. Their rent will be hiked $300 when their lease renews. McIntyre doesn’t know what to do if her paycheck is garnished.

She floats the idea of bankruptcy, but that won’t automatically clear her loans, which are held to a different standard than other debt. She figures if she picks up extra jobs babysitting or tutoring, she could put $50 toward her loans here and there. But she sees no real solution.

“I don’t know what more I can do,” says McIntyre, who is too afraid to check what her loan balance is. “I’ll never get out of this hole.”

Braxton Brewington of the Debt Collective debtors union says it’s striking how many older people dial into the organization’s calls and attend its protests. Many of them, he says, should have had their debts canceled but fell victim to a system “riddled with flaws and illegalities and flukes.” Many whose educations have left them in late-life debt have, in fact, paid back the principal on their loans, sometimes several times over, but still owe more due to interest and fees.

For those who are subject to garnishment, Brewington says, the results can be devastating.

“We hear from people who skip meals. We know people who dilute their medication or cut their pills in half. People take drastic measures like pulling all their savings out or dissolving their 401ks,” he says. “We know folks that have been driven into homelessness.”

Collections on defaulted loans may have restarted no matter who was president, though the Biden administration had sought to limit the amount of income that could be garnished. Federal law protects just $750 of Social Security benefits from garnishment, an amount that would put a debtor far below the poverty line.

“We’re basically providing people with federal benefits with one hand and taking them away with another,” says Sarah Sattelmeyer of the New America think tank.

Linda Hilton, a 76-year-old retired office worker from Apache Junction, Ariz., went through garnishment before COVID and says she will survive it again. But flights to see her children, occasional meals at a restaurant and other pleasures of retired life may disappear.

“It’s going to mean restrictions,” says Hilton. “There won’t be any travel. There won’t be any frills.”

Some debtors have already received notice about collections. Many more are living in fear. President Trump has signed an executive order calling for the Department of Education’s dismantling and, for those seeking answers about their loans, mass layoffs have complicated getting calls answered.

While Education Secretary Linda McMahon says restarting collections is a necessary step for debtors “both for the sake of their own financial health and our nation’s economic outlook,” even some of Trump’s most fervent supporters are questioning a move that will make their lives harder.

Randall Countryman, 55, of Bonita, Calif., says a Biden administration proposal to forgive some student debt didn’t strike him as fair, but he’s not sure Trump’s approach is either. He supported Trump but wishes the government made case-by-case decisions on debtors. Countryman thinks Americans don’t realize how many older people are affected by policies on student loans, often thought to be the turf of the young, and how difficult it can be for them to repay.

“What’s a young person’s problem today,” he says, “is an old person’s problem tomorrow.”

Countryman started working on a degree while in prison, then continued it at the University of Phoenix when he was released. He started growing nervous as he racked up loan debt and never finished his degree. He’s worked a host of different jobs, but finding work has often been complicated by his criminal record.

He lives off his wife’s Social Security check and the kindness of his mother-in-law. He doesn’t know how they’d get by if the government demands repayment.

“I kind of wish I never went to school in the first place,” he says.

Sedensky writes for the Associated Press.