Buying a used city car

Buying a used city car

City cars have evolved over time, emissions have become a critical factor when considering purchasing a city car. The introduction of low emission zones and charges has made people rethink their next vehicle, especially if they are regularly driving in and out of cities. Economy isn't the only important factor, city cars also need to be reliable, cheap to run, handle well on tight corners and small enough to squeeze into parking spaces, but also a comfortable drive.

The city car market has a lot to offer with many vehicles in this class being able to happily take on longer journeys when needed and provide that extra room that a family in the city may need. In this article we take a look at some of the best city car options on the market and what to consider when deciding on your next used vehicle.

Used city cars: affordable cars with numerous advantages

Nowadays all manufacturers have their own city car. These compact run-arounds are designed, developed and manufactured with tricky urban traffic in mind. The most recent models, such as the Renault Clio, Peugeot 208, and Volkswagen Polo, have excellent road handling and prove just how versatile these cars are.

Here's a summary of their advantages:

• The price: this is the main selling point of a city car. Affordable when sold new, a used city car like the Ford Fiesta or Renault Twingo can be picked up for around £5,000 to £6,000.
• Very low maintenance cost: having your city car serviced and checked won't cost an arm and a leg. It will require regular maintenance, but this will cost far less than a higher range car.
• An engine with reasonable power: pottering around town in a monster of a vehicle is pointless. Thanks to city cars and their small engines, you can save tons on your car insurance. You can also opt for an automatic gearbox, which makes dealing with traffic jams far less tiresome.
• Economical and ecological: city cars are generally equipped with engines that consume very little fuel, like the Peugeot 108 or Toyota Yaris, which also comes in a hybrid version. Better yet, go for a second-hand electric car such as the Renault Zoé!

On the flip side, city cars don't offer quite the same level of comfort as general-purpose cars, saloons or SUVs. They are also less spacious and have less boot space. This means they're not the best choice for long journeys.

Popular used city cars

Among the most popular used city cars, you’ll find the Renault Clio, Peugeot 208, Citroën C3, Vauxhall Corsa and the VW Polo. If you prefer a more elegant model, treat yourself to a DS 3, Mini One or a Fiat 500! With a larger budget, you can opt for a premium model such as the Mercedes A-Class or a used Audi A1. At the other end of the scale, the Dacia Sendero is a worthy cheap second-hand car choice.

Hybrid city cars

The city car category has long been ignored by manufacturers of hybrid and plug-in hybrids, probably because of their lower fuel consumption. For several years, the only hybrid city car was the Toyota Yaris, with its 4th generation arriving on the market in 2020. However, the competition is starting to react with models such as the Honda Jazz e: HEV and Renault Clio E-Tech.

In addition to hybrid vehicles, which combine a combustion engine and an electric motor, city cars are well represented when it comes to micro-hybrids, which are equipped with starter-alternators in their electric motors making it possible to save fuel on journeys where you have to stop and start a lot. The main models in this category are:

• The Fiat 500 Hybrid;
• The Fiat Panda Hybrid ;
• The Kia Rio with a T-GDi 100 mHEV iBVM6 engine;
• The Suzuki Swift 1.2 Dualjet Hybrid.

Buying an electric city car

City cars are perfect for electric engines, driving relatively low distances in urban areas is where you can make the most of an electric engine. Charging points are becoming more readily available, especially in larger cities where clean air zones have been implemented. Buying an all-electric vehicle means no cost to drive in and out of these zones. The production of new petrol and diesel cars is planned to be banned by the year 2030. This will make buying electric vehicles inevitable for the majority of the population within the next 15 years.

Here are a few of the key benefits of buying an all-electric city car:

• Cheap to run, the cost of charging an electric car can be up to 3x less than the petrol or diesel equivalent

• Free to drive in low emission areas, electric cars don't produce any CO2 and are therefore exempt from emission charges

• No tax - another cost you can wipe from your monthly or annual payments

• Quiet, smooth ride - escape from the noise and bustle of the city, electric cars are almost silent and provide a more relaxing experience

• Increasing range - the standard range is now 200 miles on most electric vehicles, plenty for the majority of city drivers

• Fast charging is now an option in many electric vehicles, you can quickly recoup up to 80% of the battery in around 30 minutes

• Automatic gears - enjoy an easier drive with an automatic gearbox

Electric city cars are the future of urban driving and cleaner vehicles. The number of models has multiplied in recent years, meaning today you'll have plenty of choice. Comparable models are:

• The Peugeot e-208 ;
• The Citroën C-Zero ;
• The Citroën AMI ;
• The BMW i3 
• The Honda e ;
• The Renault Twingo ZE ;
• The Mini Cooper SE ;
• The Vauxhall Corsa-e ;
• The Smart Fortwo Electric Drive ;
• The Dacia Spring;
• The Volkswagen e-UP;
• The Renault Zoé has the best range in its category (390 kilometres).

Used electric city cars are perfectly suited to electric power. They're typically used to travel short daily distances, for example commuting to and from work or running errands at the weekend.

Manufacturers' prices can vary significantly, so it's important to do price/performance comparisons and take into account the cost of leasing a battery.

Here are some of our top picks of city cars

Electric Vauxhall Corsa - offering an impressive range of 211 miles in normal mode and up to 80% charge in 30 minutes. The Vauxhall electric Corsa is a great city car with the tech specs to match.

Citroen C1 - Citroen C1 is stylish to drive and looks the part in the city, it’s compact, reliable and has a four-door option. This is helpful for those looking to carry passengers.

Peugeot 108 - This car is great at handling corners and inner city driving, the 1.0L engine efficiently handles city driving with ease. The new Peugeot 108 models also have some great tech and driver convenience additions in the vehicle.

Things to check when buying a used city car 

Exterior: dented doors, scratches, damaged wing mirrors. Urban driving can take its toll on a car. Look carefully for any signs of damage. 

At the wheel: the clutch, engine and brakes will have seen intensive use during long hours spent in traffic jams. Don't hesitate to test drive the car on all types of roads to see how well it reacts when braking and accelerating. Listen to its engine, use all the gears and test the steering wheel drift. If you hear a suspicious noise, ask the seller as many questions as possible.

How to estimate the value of my city car?

Do you want to sell a city car like a Citroën C3, Dacia Sandero or even a Fiat 500, and don't know the price you could get for it? SPOTICAR has an online vehicle valuation tool to easily determine the value of your car. All you need to do is enter the make, its registration number and some basic information regarding the model and mileage.

Once you have your initial city car estimate, you can then contact a SPOTICAR retailer to obtain a firm trade-in offer.