Ordered a new Octavia recently but we need to change our 2nd car and have around £2k to spend. 
MPG not important, neither is size, but reliability and parts availability is. 
Obviously a lot of engines will be shared, which are the best ones in the older cars? 
Won’t be doing a lot of miles. 

Keep it simple if you are spending £2k

If it doesn’t have loads of gizmos and motorised features there is a lot less to go wrong and fail (which are not cheap to repair/replace)

 

However probably looking at a car 10-13 years old at that price, so it’s condition, and how well serviced are relevant.  Almost anything could need work from tyres, brake pads, cam belt etc so more a case of forecasting upcoming work than which engine is ideal.

 

I would try and find a S spec Fabia