Should you buy a used Toyota Aygo Mk1?

If you’re looking for a simple, small and economical car for the lowest cost, the Toyota Aygo is almost unbeatable. Compared with the Peugeot 107 and Citroen C1 it has a small, but meaningful improvement in reputation for reliability partly because of the difference in the dealer networks when these cars were new. It’s light and nimble, engaging to drive, feels roomier than you might anticipate, and is very easy to maintain.

Given the age of these cars there are plenty of points to watch out for, such as rusting rear suspension beams and general wear and damage, but overall for a car that was one of the cheapest available during a period of low interest rates, bargain lease deals and a very ‘disposable’ consumer mindset the Aygo has held up remarkably well. There are plenty of petrol ones available as well, meaning ULEZ is not too much of a worry.

Alternatives include the Renault Clio – particularly the Campus run-out models if your budget is closer to 2005-2007 Aygos – the Ford Fiesta, and the Toyota Yaris. These will usually be older, higher mileage, tattier or rustier than the Aygo you’ll find for the same money.

What we like about the original Toyota Aygo

Japanese engineering from Daihatsu and Toyota implies reliability and efficiency, and it delivers. Build quality is not bad for a budget car, though some trim may not survive the ravages of time. It handles well, has good visibility and is cheap to insure – an excellent first car, or convenient errands car if you’ve put your budget into something nice you don’t want to risk leaving at the station when commuting.

What we don’t like

They do rust, and things like heater controls are quite flimsy and brittle-feeling. The diesel is pointless. The automatic is the same Sensodrive automated manual found in several small Citroen and Peugeots, and is decidedly un-Toyota-like in reliability and smoothness terms.