This is the 1.0-litre three-cylinder Aygo (shared with the Peugeot/Citroën twins) with a five-speed manual — simple, lightweight and inexpensive to service. The little engine is very economical around town but gets noisy and high-revving on motorways, so it's better suited to city/suburban running than long-distance commuting. Parts and labour are cheap and widely available in Ireland, and there is no cambelt (it uses a timing chain), but manual-clutch wear is common on cars used mainly for short trips.

• Clutch feel under load — check for slipping or judder when accelerating in 1st/2nd gear (city cars often need a new clutch by 8–10 years if used heavily).
• Cold start and idle for persistent ticking or rattling from the front of the engine (timing-chain/tensioner noise can show up on some 3‑cylinder engines).
• Front suspension top mounts, anti-roll bar links and shock absorbers for knocks over bumps (common on city-driven cars).
• Gearbox shifting smoothness — listen for crunching or missed synchromesh, especially into 2nd and reverse.
• Exterior wear typical of urban use: stone chips to front bumper/bonnet, scuffed mirrors and kerb marks on wheels.