Used Citroen C1 for sale: everything you need to know
French brands have a long history of appealing and affordable small cars, and the Citroen C1 - co-developed with the Peugeot 108, and the Toyota Aygo - is another in that long line. The original C1 appeared in 2005 while the second generation we’re covering here was launched in 2014, and ran until 2022, so there are plenty out there to choose from.
The C1 isn’t the most sophisticated of small cars but it’s inexpensive to run, economical, has plenty of flair in its styling inside and out, and is easy to drive too. In other words, it ticks all the small car boxes. Read on to find out more about the C1, and its different trim levels and engines.
Should you buy a Citroen C1?
The Citroen C1, and its Peugeot 108 and Toyota Aygo siblings, are one of the default small car choices. Whether you’re looking for your very first set of wheels, need an economical second car, or simply want to spend as little as possible on your daily transportation, the C1 should probably be somewhere on your shortlist.
The C1 makes simplicity a virtue. It’s mechanically straightforward, which keeps maintenance costs to a minimum, and there are no fancy hybrid systems or turbochargers in sight, so the small, three-cylinder petrol engines, pulling very little weight, can be both economical but also affordable to service. Pretty reliable too, since there’s not a lot to go wrong. The cost-cutting only really shows in Citroen’s use of an automated manual as the automatic gearbox option - it does the job, but it’s not as smooth as a regular automatic.
At under 3.5 metres long the C1 is genuinely small by modern standards. This limits interior space, and Citroen has chosen to dedicate most of it to passengers - so you get pretty good legroom and headroom front and rear, but the tradeoff is a small boot, under 200 litres. The funky interior design presents no problems and C1s came with a touchscreen infotainment system from the start, which is nice. The C1 is a doddle to drive too - light controls and good visibility combine with fun handling and a pretty decent ride. Those small wheels mean tyres are cheap to replace, too.
The Volkswagen Up (and the similar Skoda Citigo and SEAT Mii) is seen as the sophisticated option in this class. It’s a little less funky and a bit more grown up, which may suit some buyers more than others. The Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto are talented small cars too, while the Renault Twingo and Smart Forfour (another related duo - carmakers like to share development to keep costs low) have quirky styling and ultra-tight turning circles that make them great for parking. All make fine cars and all have low running costs.
What’s the best used Citroen C1 model to buy?
If you don’t mind slightly higher insurance costs then the 1.2-litre engine is appealing for its extra performance and no real economy penalty compared to the 1-litre. But the smaller engine is no hardship and should keep costs to a minimum. The manual gearbox is better than the jerky automated manual (no regular automatic or CVT was available), while in terms of spec, we’d go for at least a Feel model, which came with air conditioning.
Used Citroen C1 fuel economy and performance
- Citroen C1 VTi 68: At launch in 2014 the entry-level engine was a 1-litre three-cylinder petrol, with a 68PS output. With a five-speed manual gearbox (an automated manual was optional), 0-62mph came up in 13.7 seconds, and the NEDC economy figure was 74.3mpg combined.
- Citroen C1 VTi 72: This later version of the naturally-aspirated 1-litre engine produces just a touch more power at 72PS, and could get from 0-62mph in 14 seconds flat. Fuel economy on the later, more realistic WLTP cycle is 58.9mpg.
- Citroen C1 1.2 PureTech: A slightly larger 1.2-litre three cylinder helped increase power to 82PS, for a useful improvement in acceleration, with 0-62mph in 11 seconds. Its NEDC economy figure is 65.7mpg.
What used Citroen C1 trim levels are available?
- The Citroen C1 Touch is the starting point of the range and has a relatively basic level of equipment, though a 7-inch touchscreen with smartphone integration is still standard.
- The Citroen C1 Feel added all-important air conditioning, plus DAB ratio and height adjustment for the driver’s seat.
- The Citroen C1 Flair has a slightly more upmarket feel than the lower trim levels, getting 15-inch alloy wheels, a reversing camera, electrically adjustable door mirrors, and rear privacy glass.
- The Citroen C1 Urban Ride was a special edition model that closely matches the Feel in spec, with air conditioning and a colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- The Citroen C1 Shine came with alloy wheels, chrome door mirror caps, and a rev counter, while options when the car was new included climate control and keyless entry.
Used Citroen C1 dimensions and boot size
The Citroen C1’s exterior dimensions are:
- Length: 3,465mm
- Width: 1,615mm
- Height: 1,460mm
- Ground clearance: 120mm
The Citroen C1’s boot space is:
- 196 litres
- 780 litres with rear seats folded
Used Citroen C1 road tax
The C1 is one of those cars were opting for an older model might actually be worthwhile for some buyers, since versions registered prior to the tax changes in April 2017 won’t pay a penny in VED - all models have CO2 emissions under 100g/km. After this 2017 date, you’ll pay a flat rate of £190 per year - a good three or four tanks of fuel, so quite a tax penalty.
How much is it to insure a Citroen C1?
While it might be surprising that there’s no group 1 or 2 super-cheap version to insure in the C1 range, group ratings of between 6-13 depending on specification should still mean relatively low insurance costs. Feel and Touch models with the 1-litre engine are cheapest, with special editions like the Feel Edition Sunrise, with the larger 1.2-litre engine, are towards the upper end of the scale.
