The 2022 Aygo is a small 1.0-litre petrol city car with a 5-speed manual in most petrol variants — simple, low-power and cheap to run. It’s built for town use (very small boot and tight rear legroom) and uses Toyota’s straightforward 3-cylinder petrol unit with a timing chain rather than a belt, so major timing-belt jobs aren’t a regular concern. Parts and servicing are widely available in Ireland, but expect basic trim and plastics compared with larger models.

• Clutch engagement and slip: test from cold and after a run for slipping or a high bite point (manual variant).
• Gearbox feel: listen for crunching or grinding into 1st/2nd and check for smooth synchro action on shifts.
• Suspension and steering: drive over potholes to check for knocks, creaks or worn strut top bearings and uneven tyre wear.
• Air-con and electrics: confirm A/C cooling, charging socket/Apple CarPlay and parking sensors/camera (small cars rely on these for city use).
• Bodywork and lower panels: inspect for stone chips around the front bumper and wheelarches and for scuffs in the boot floor and rear-seat latches.