Top Ten Most Reliable Used City Cars

In at number 10 is the Chevrolet Matiz (also available with a Daewoo badge) which has depreciated massively so used examples can now be grabbed for a snatch of their original value. Year: 2005 Reliability Index Score: 65 Largest Repair Bill: £319.60

A solid performer providing great comfort, practicality and low-cost maintenance. Daily-driven around London town by the likes of James May, who kept it as his commuter for seven years and in his own words ' I've never been able to thrash it to below 40mpg. Beat that.' Year: 2004 Reliability Index Score: 56 Largest Repair Bill: £1345.44

Smart - it's a Mercedes underneath and it was a catalyst for the revival of genuinely small cars. The car also boasts the famous 'Tridion Safety Cell' which is essentially a metal safety pod in which passengers are seated. Brilliant design and a sound buy. Year: 2007 Reliability Index Score: 53 Largest Repair Bill: £918.89

Ever wondered why there's so many on the road? That's because they're reliable, affordable, practical and a pleasure to drive and own on urban journeys. The KA has earned its place among the most popular vehicles in the UK. Year: 1996 - 2009 Reliability Index Score: 48 Largest Repair Bill: £1226

German engineering and refinement in a small, affordable package. A well engineered and ergonomic vehicle as we've come to expect from Volkswagen over the years. Year: 2006 - 2012 Reliability Index Score: 44 Largest Repair Bill: £1144.28

A super compact package which is a blast to nip about town in while maintaining ultra low running costs. The sprightly styling compensated for the tiny boot space. Year: 2005 Reliability Index Score: 32 Largest Repair Bill: £976.05

The Volkswagen Lupo is a smaller alternative to the previously mentioned Fox. The Volkswagen Lupo maximises interior dimensions so you can expect a tardis-like cabin space inside which doesn't feel cramped. Year: 1999 - 2005 Reliability Index Score: 31 Largest Repair Bill: £486.75

Kia build cars to a brilliant standard - that's how they justify the 5 year warranty they provide, as it is rarely called upon. The Picanto is no exception. fantastic reliability rate supported by pleasant aftersales makes the Picanto a good buy in the used market as parts are cheap and in abundance, on the off chance something does go wrong. Year: 2004 Reliability Index Score: 27 Largest Repair Bill: £724

At second position, based on the reliability score index is the C1 from Citroen. The C1 packed a punchy 1.0litre engine which produced 68hp - these numbers aren't astronomical but they attracted buyers by providing an enjoyable and nippy driving experience in an otherwise bland supermini market. Good fun while returning a steady 61mpg combined. Year: 2005 Reliability Index Score: 22 Largest Repair Bill: £1030

In case you hadn't noticed - The 107, Citroen C1 and Toyota Aygo are 3 strikingly similar vehicles in this list. Well thats because they all share the same chassis and are built with similar parts. While the Aygo was the cheapest upon release, it was Peugeot who added the necessary tweaks to improve reliability and longevity to the vehicle. Which is why the cheeky French supermini steals the number one spot with their exceptional build quality, breakdown rate and sturdiness. A great option for speculative city car buyers who would rather buy a used-car than make numerous ongoing payments for a more expensive new car. Year: 2005 Reliability Index Score: 19 Largest Repair Bill: £763.88