Checking the chassis
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Most modern small cars are what are known as ‘superminis’ - a term that was coined in the 1970s effectively to describe a class of small car that wasn’t quite as tiny as cars like the original Mini. Modern superminis are still much bigger than those 1970s originals, but cars like the Ford Fiesta and Renault Clio, at around four metres long, are where the definition tends to top out.
They’re hugely popular in the UK, often topping the sales charts each year and feeling perfectly suited to the mix of UK driving conditions - often feeling just as comfortable on a motorway trip as they do around town. They’re also safer, quicker, and better equipped than ever before, making them just as relevant for drivers downsizing from larger vehicles as they are for a new driver making their way out onto the roads for the first time.
Perhaps the best reason for buying a used small car is to save money. Small cars tend to be affordable to buy, don’t use much fuel, don’t cost much to service, have low insurance rates, and don’t burn through consumables like tyres and brakes at the same rate as larger, heavier, and faster cars. That affordability is of course increased further when you’re buying used, which will instantly save you thousands off the cost of a brand new small car.
There are other compelling reasons to get a smaller car too though. They tend to be easier to park, not just because they take up less space but because it’s typically easier to see the extremities of the car from where you’re sitting. Their size helps in town too, giving you more room to play with in narrow streets and generally turning tighter than larger cars.
And even if they don’t have the performance of many larger cars, they can still be quite fun to drive, since small cars are often relatively lightweight, making them more nimble and responsive. Their small size no longer comes at the expense of safety either - modern small cars are packed with the same essential safety features as other cars, from the expected airbags and anti-lock brakes, to automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist in the latest models.
Superminis are one of the most popular types of vehicle in the UK and Europe, so they’re very easy to find and just about every mainstream manufacturer has offered one at some point. Examples include cars like the Ford Fiesta, Renault Clio, the MINI, Suzuki Swift, Dacia Sandero, and Volkswagen Polo - cars that you’re probably familiar with if you’ve bought a smaller model before.
You can go smaller though if you really want to lower your bills and maximise your parking opportunities - models such as the Fiat 500, Volkswagen Up, Hyundai i10, Toyota Aygo X, and Suzuki Ignis are all sub-supermini in size, generally powered by engines of around a litre in capacity, and often capable of 60mpg in real-world driving. They don’t offer the performance or space of those larger superminis but still tend to be well-equipped these days and are about as cheap to run as cars get.
We should note too that as SUVs have become more popular across the market, many manufacturers offer SUV-style cars that still fit the small car definition and are nearly as easy to park as traditional superminis. Think cars like the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur, and Ford Puma, which may be an option if you’d like a small car that feels like a larger one.
As one of the most popular types of car on the market, you’ll find used small cars for sale pretty much everywhere. An online search is the place to start, whether you’ve got a particular model in mind or just a set of criteria.
Used car websites don’t typically let you search by vehicle size, but one way of homing in on smaller cars is to limit your search by engine size - the majority of modern small cars will typically have an engine no larger than about 1.3 or 1.4 litres, and older superminis rarely go above 1.6 litres outside of high-performance versions. Most small cars tend to be hatchbacks too, and you can use this body style as another way to narrow your search.
As small cars are well-suited to urban driving, you’re likely to find the highest concentration of cars for sale in towns and cities, and most dealerships should have a large selection on display.
Small cars can lead hard lives for several reasons. As the default first-car they’re often driven by less experienced drivers, urban driving can lead to more knocks and scrapes, and their low cost and built-to-a-price nature means they’re sometimes treated as disposable items, which in turn can lead to people overlooking servicing and replacing wear and tear items.
This means you still need to pay attention when shopping for a used small car, and prioritise condition and a good service history over things like mileage or even desirable features. The good news is that as small cars tend to be simpler than larger ones, you’re less likely to be stung by a big bill if you do overlook something.
Even so, it’s worth running a history check on the car’s numberplate beforehand to ensure everything is above board, and if the car is more than three years old, that its MOT history is clean too. Online buying guides can help point towards particular areas of attention on a given car. When you go to view a car, ensure that it’s in the condition described by the seller, that it’s tidy and unmarked inside and out, that the tyres are in good condition, and that it drives straight and drives smoothly.
Nissan
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