I've just been told I'm likely to need surgery on both hips and possibly both knees. It occurs to me that driving is going to be a problem, if only temporarily, does anyone have any recommendations/warnings about automatics?
I had an auto Volvo years ago and it was fine if a little dull, a semi automatic Citreon was an absolute pain.

I think the best place to start with is, what's the budget. Its very hard to go wrong when going German and automatic

Depending on other factors, it could be an opportunity to go EV?

Dual clutch boxes operate as automatics which opens up a lot of cars these days or, as Jim rightly points out, EVs.

Hadn't really thought about the budget, in a best case scenario it's just a temporary thing until I can get back to 'normal'. Thus I wouldn't be thinking of spending too much, possibly a big, old comfortable Merc, though I keep seeing some very rusty ones. If it's permanent I guess an EV would be an option, still haven't got my head around it yet.

The trick with a Merc is go later than about 2002 to avoid the rust. A C220 Cdi would be a good choice.