This petrol-manual Swift is a supermini-sized hatch — light, simple and inexpensive to run compared with larger cars. The manual gearbox is straightforward and cheaper to maintain than an automatic; there’s no hybrid battery to worry about, but boot and rear-seat space are limited compared with family-sized models. Expect basic safety and infotainment features on standard trims and good fuel economy in mixed use.

• Clutch and gearbox: drive it from cold and warm, check for smooth engagement, no judder or grinding and consistent bite point (demo cars can get early clutch wear).
• Tyres and tracking: inspect tyre age/sidewall damage and check for uneven wear or scrubbing that indicates poor alignment from dealer/demo miles.
• Paint, panel gaps and underside: look for transport/lot damage, scuffs on bumpers and stone chips under the car from delivery runs.
• Infotainment, cameras and sensors: verify reversing camera, parking sensors, Bluetooth and any driver-assist tech work and that software is up to date.
• Keys and warranty paperwork: ensure you have two keys (or note if one is missing), owners’ manuals and that the manufacturer warranty has been registered.