If your budget is around £3,000, these are the used cars I'd personally be looking at.
Citroen C1 / Peugeot 107 / Toyota Aygo
I'd actually group these together because they're basically the same car underneath. These cars were developed together by Toyota, Peugeot and Citroen, so underneath they're pretty much the same vehicle.
Why I Like Them
- Toyota engine
- Timing chain
- Excellent fuel economy
- Cheap tyres
- Cheap insurance
- Cheap road tax
What To Check
- Clutch wear (a lot of them are on a clutch cable so this can often be adjusted)
- Water leaks around rear lights
- Corrosion on older examples
- Listen for gearbox bearing noise
Pros
- Extremely cheap to run
- Cheap repairs
- Great first car
Cons
- Small
- Not great on motorways
- Basic interior
Toyota Yaris
Why I Like Them
- Very reliable
- Simple petrol engine
- Cheap servicing
- Cheap ownership
What To Check
- Service history
- Clutch
- Suspension wear on previous MOT history
Pros
- Bulletproof reputation
- Low running costs
- Cheap insurance
Cons
- Boring
- Not the most exciting drive
VW Polo 1.2 Petrol
Why I Like Them
- Good build quality
- Comfortable
- Plenty of parts available
- Cheap servicing
What To Check
- Timing chain noise
- Service history
- Suspension knocks
- Cooling system issues - make sure to get it up to temperature on the road test and make sure it doesn't overheat
Pros
- Strong resale value
- Popular
- Easy to drive
Cons
- Parts can be more expensive than a C1
- Not as reliable as a Yaris
My Honest Opinion
Out of these three, I'd happily own any of them. The biggest thing I'd look for isn't necessarily which model it is, it's which one has been looked after the best. A full service history and a clean MOT history are worth far more than the badge on the front.
Alfie Hill
Founder & Lead Advisor
Alfie has over 11 years of experience in the motor trade and founded Alfa Prestige to give buyers the insider knowledge that was previously only available to professionals.
