Why you buy it
The replacement for the massive-selling Saxo, the 1.1 litre C2 has the lowest possible insurance grouping – group 1. It’s all snazzy interior trims featuring vibrant colours with matching translucent door handles and gear.
The line-up features 1.1, 1.4 and 1.6 litre petrol as well as the 1.4 HDi diesel and they all average less than 44mpg.
The diesel - the same engine as that already used in the Citroen C3 and the Ford Fiesta - is also ultra-green with a C02 rating of 108g/km – and that has tax advantages.
Which one is best
Because Citroen’s build quality and reliability can be poor, you want the cars that are low mileage with full service histories. This means either the 1.0 or 1.4 petrols, but the 1.0 will have been under great strain, so if you can afford the insurance (group 3) then the 1.4 petrols are the way to go.
Only if you do a lot of miles is it worth looking at the 1.4 HDi. While it offers 20mpg more at 69, the mileages are usually double those of petrol engines by the time the car is 4 years old. So for roughly the same money, the petrol cars give you a motor that has done up to 20,000 miles less.
What to pay
The 1.4 petrols (excluding Sensodrive as it’s overpriced and unreliable) are as much as £6,000 for 2007 cars and as low as £3,400 for 2003 cars. They are losing 10%-18% most years until they are 4, then it slows to a safer 6%-8%. So our pick is a 2005 1.4 with 36,000 average miles for £4,500 or, if you can handle the insurance and want some fun, the over-powered 1.6s are less than £500 more.
What to check
1. Open the bonnet and look at the front of the engine block. On the front left-hand side, check for oil weeping out and creating a damp patch, a sign that the cam cover gasket is leaking. This is common and not regarded as urgent. Cost: £150.
2. Check that the engine management light comes on with the ignition and goes out a few seconds after you start the engine. If the engine management light stays on, the problem is usually either a map sensor, manifold sensor or air flow sensor. Cost: £100 - £150.