Which small car to replace my wife's Volkswagen Polo C?

My wife drives a 1990 Volkswagen Polo C with 88,000 miles on the clock. It has no servo, no power steering, a stiff clutch and a grinding gearbox. It still keeps passing the MoT, however. She is coming round to buying a newer car with all those modern things missing from the Polo. Possibilities are a Fiat 500, Peugeot 107, a Citroen C1 or I think a Toyota equivalent.

It has to be similar size with good mpg and low VED, with a manual gearbox and petrol-powered. In view of the manufacturers' claims to high mpg, would you be able to recommend any of the above or similar with a good mpg and low VED. She drives few miles per year but with the consumption on my Skoda Octavia vRS, I think I may drive more miles in the replacement.

Asked on 23 June 2012 by MN, Ashford, Kent

Answered by Honest John
Her best bet is a basic Volkswagen Up! I was very pleasantly surprised by this car and so were the World Car of the Year judges. It's a lot better than the C1, 107, Aygo, Pixo, Swift etc and comes £360 cheaper with a Skoda Citigo badge or £150 cheaper with SEAT Mii badge. Tax is £20 per year. Test and video: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/volkswagen/vw-up/
Similar questions
I currently drive a 2005 Volkswagen Golf Plus 2.0 TDI that has done 182,000 miles. What should I replace it with on a maximum budget of £12,000? I need a workhorse to do 20,000 miles a year (80 per cent...
I am returning to full time work in September and we are looking for a small, basic second car that I can use for my journey each day. My commute will be only 10 minutes each way along windy, country lanes...
My wife is looking to replace her 40,000 mile 2001 Ford Ka. She believes the Citroen C1, Peugeot 107 or Toyota Aygo might fit the bill. Also she wants to look at the new Ford Ka. Bearing in mind the negligible...
Related models
Funky little city car. Cheap to run with low CO2. Lively and fun to drive. Large enough for four adults.
A quality product, low running costs, decent level of refinement, zesty little engine, easy to drive.
Ideal for town or motorway driving, and economical on fuel. Fun to drive and great value.
 

Value my car

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 12% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ21 to save on an ALA policy

See offer