Drivers looking for a reliable used car that may be on the older side have been given a list of reputable brands and models among the best rated
Smaller automobiles, particularly city cars and superminis, are among the most popular vehicles on the road, offering versatility, low running costs and practicality for a wide range of motorists.
These more compact cars are designed to make life easier without breaking the bank, but with so many options to choose from on the used market, finding out which ones you can truly rely on may seem like a daunting task.
But fear not, a UK second-hand vehicle warranty supplier has come up with a handy guide to help you find your ideal match. Based on data collected between 2022 and 2025 in relation to the volume of claims made by extended warranty customers, WarrantyWise has revealed which 10 small motors are most reliable, giving each model a rating out of 100.
However, drivers who are opting for a cheaper used model that’s on the older side have been warned that as cars get older, their parts are harder to get hold of. So in the event of a breakdown, motorists could find themselves shelling out more than they bargained for just to keep their car on the road.
10. Mini Hatch — reliability score: 75.9
- Typical used price: Around £7,000 (10 years old with roughly 50,000 miles on the clock, less for diesel)
- Average repair claim: £1,118
- Most expensive repair claim: £9,224
The desirable Mini Cooper’s old school appearance and iconic brand appeal make it one of the most popular superminis — both brand new and used. However, repairs can be costly.
10. Hyundai i20 — reliability score: 75.9
- Typical used price: Around £6,000 (10 years old)
- Average repair claim: £871
- Most expensive repair claim: £4,444
Often overlooked, the Hyundai i20 is a worthy rival to more popular similar-sized models including the Vauxhall Vector and Ford Corsa. It’s generally better equipped and less expensive to fix than the Mini.
9. Dacia Sandero —reliability score: 77.8
- Typical used price: Less than £4,000 (2015 model, roughly 50,000 miles)
- Average repair claim: £615
- Most expensive repair claim: £3,217
The Dacia Sandero is the epitome of cheap motoring, with used models available for less than you might think. It’s also affordable to run and repair.
8. Hyundai i10 — reliability Score: 78.4
- Typical used price: Around £5,000 (10 years old, roughly 50,000 miles)
- Average repair claim: £855
- Most expensive repair claim: £3,774
The Hyundai i10 is even smaller than the i20, but thankfully it’s just as reliable. It’s also cheap to insure and won’t break the bank to purchase.
6. Renault Clio — reliability score: 79
- Typical used price: Around £5,000 (under 50,000 miles)
- Average repair claim: £721
- Most expensive repair claim: £4,928
A firm Uk favourite, having sold well over a million models since hitting showroom floors in 1990, the Renault Clio is both affordable and dependable. WarrantyWise also found it to be one of the top superminis in relation to receiving a low volume of claims.
6. Ford Ka — reliability Score: 79
- Typical used price: Well under £4,000 (below-average mileage)
- Average repair claim: £628
- Most expensive repair claim: £2,430
Though not a big seller, the Ford KA is a cheap and reliable small runaround. On top of getting one of the best reliability scores from WarrantyWise, the company also found it to be relatively affordable to fix when big things go wrong.
5. Peugeot 108 — reliability score: 80.3
- Typical used price: Around £4,500 (2015 model)
- Average repair claim: £550
- Most expensive repair claim: £3,546
The shared platform city model of the Peugeot 108 — built alongside the Citroën C1 and Toyota Aygo — is both dependable and reasonable to run.
4. Citroën C1 — reliability Score: 82.8
- Typical used price: £3,500–£4,000 (50,000 miles)
- Average repair claim: £673
- Most expensive repair claim: £2,715
Mechanically, the Citroën C1 is very similar to the Peugeot 108 and Toyota Aygo. They can be picked up relatively cheaply and are also reasonable to repair.
3. Kia Picanto — reliability Score: 86.8
- Typical used price: £4,500–£5,000 (good condition)
- Average repair claim: £438
- Most expensive repair claim: £2,324
Produced on a shared platform with the Hyundai i10 (which placed 8th in this countdown), the Kia Picanto is highly reliable and affordable to repair.
1. Suzuki Swift — reliability Score: 88.6
- Typical used price: Around £5,000 (standard, non-Sport)
- Average repair claim: £784
- Most expensive repair claim: £3,993
The Suzuki Swift is ranked by WarrantyWise as the joint-best small car for dependability. Its roomier than you might think, fun to drive and doesn’t typically suffer faults regularly.
1. Toyota Aygo — reliability Score: 88.6
- Typical used price: Around £5,500 (10 years old, roughly 50,000 miles)
- Average repair claim: £420
- Most expensive repair claim: £1,297
The Toyota Aygo is the other most reliable car on the list, with both the lowest ‘average repair claim’ and cheapest ‘most expensive repair’ according to WarrantyWise.
Managing director at WarrantyWise, Antony Diggins, said the data backs up the theory that superminis are “one of the safest bets you can make in the used car market”.
He said: “At a time when people are being more careful with their money, it’s reassuring to know that you don’t have to spend big to get a dependable car. With a number of these superminis not requiring major repairs until they’re nearly a decade old, and many models showing excellent cost-per-mile performance, they are an especially wise buy in today’s market.”
But there is one major catch — as can be seen in the ‘most expensive repair claim’ sections for the top 10, particularly as the parts become more dated, they can be very expensive to fix.
