The C1 has undoubtedly been a success story for Citroën in the UK.

With 80,000 sales between its initial launch in 2005 and the refreshed model we look at here, which arrived in 2012, this popular city car did all that could reasonably be asked of it.

As a used buy, it makes a great deal of sense.

What You Get
The post-2012 C1 model was offered with a range of what Citroën dubbed ‘Créative Technologie’ features.

Things like a higher-tech stereo system, here better integrated into the dashboard. It featured a time display and on plusher variants, you’ll find that the CD audio part of the system comes with a ‘Connecting Box’ which is able to read all MP3 formats and is equipped with a Bluetooth function.

It’s accompanied by USB and jack connections at the base of the central console, so hooking up any sort of data stick, phone or MP3 player to the stereo shouldn’t prove problematic.

What To Look For
The C1 is a pretty tough little thing given the amount of abuse it has to soak up.

Not a lot ever goes wrong with the 1.0-litre engine and the electrical systems are also reliable.

The carpets can wear quickly, plus the parcel shelf is flimsy and owners report it sagging.

Check for kerbed alloy wheels and the usual inner city trolley rash.

The ETG gearbox can occasionally be temperamental, so check that all gears engage cleanly.

Don’t worry if it jolts and lurches.

They all do that.

Overall
At its heart, the C1 remains a fundamentally good design, with a willing 1.0-litre petrol engine, a space-efficient cabin, a respectable amount of safety kit and ultra-low running costs.

If anything, it’s even more appealing as a used purchase, especially if you can pick up a clean low mileage example of a later post-2012 car like those we’ve been looking at here, ideally one that’s just been used to nip to the local shops.

For younger drivers looking for a first runabout that’s affordable but not a total snooze and rightly considering this C1 as one of their main options, it’s really hard to go too far wrong.