For those wanting an extra dollop of driver delight, there’s the 113bhp GTI, which offers pocket-rocket pace and sharper handling, although its cult appeal means prices rarely drop below £11,000. There’s also the electric e-up! that’ll cover around 100 miles on a charge, or 160 miles for post-2019 models. However, for most buyers, the standard 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol is the best bet. Available with either 59bhp or 74bhp, it’s smooth, eager and rarely delivers economy of less than 50mpg.
Advertisement - Article continues below
Like other VW models, the up! is solidly built and dependable, while it should be cheap and easy to fix on the rare occasions it does go wrong. Huge popularity when new also means there are plenty of used examples to choose from, so you can afford to be picky.
3. Hyundai i10 (Mk2)
It’s not quite as fun to drive as the up! and its sister cars, but the Mk2 Hyundai i10 matches them for comfort and refinement. It’s also roomy, reliable and well equipped. This compact car costs peanuts to run, delivers unrivalled dependability and came with a five-year warranty when new.
4. Vauxhall Corsa (Mk4)
The Mk4 Vauxhall Corsa lacks the smart style and handling panache of the Fiesta, but with prices starting at just £2,500, few small cars serve up such great value for money. It features a classy cabin, decent tech and a wide range of engines. It also costs very little to run, while the tried-and-tested mechanicals shouldn’t let you down.
5.Renault Zoe(Mk1)
The pioneering Zoe has been around for a decade, and with its cutting-edge electric drivetrain and modern looks, the radical Renault still feels ahead of its time. The more recent examples are faster, go further on a charge and have slicker infotainment, but with early Zoes now priced from around £7,000, few EVs are as affordable.
6. Renault Twingo (Mk3)
The original Twingo did things differently when it made its debut in the early nineties, and our left-field city car is no different in Mk3 form. Closely related to the Smart ForFour, the Renault features a novel rear-engined layout and a tight turning circle that rivals that of a black cab. It’s surprisingly fun to drive, delivers decent practicality and costs less to buy than many rivals.
7. Toyota Yaris (Mk3)
A petrol-electric pioneer,Toyotahas been offering electrified models for decades. TheYarisis the smallest hybrid the Japanese company builds. While it may not be a particularly exciting car to drive, it is smooth and easy-going, making it a perfect companion for anyone fighting their way through the urban jungle. It’ll also easily crack 60mpg and boasts impressive reliability.
8. SEAT Ibiza (Mk5)
A usedSEAT Ibizacan picked for verylittle money, making it a pretty solid choice. What's more, the biggest bargain don't necessarily mean big sacrifices.
Even basic SE models come with a colour touchscreen infotainment system with the latest phone connectivity for navigation, and the 1.0-litre petrol model boasts a broad spread of power and torque, so performance is good too; this is still the engine of choice in a brand-new Ibiza, so it makes sense to go for this car second-hand.
The big factor that elevated the Ibiza to the top of its class was the space on offer inside. It’s roomy in the rear to the point where this fifth-generation Ibiza can occasionally operate as a family car.
Now find out more aboutthe best used cars you can buy...
