Used Suzuki Alto

The Suzuki Alto is a small city car that was in production between 2009 and 2015. On release, it was one of the cheapest cars your money could buy, but it made its mark thanks to its solid build quality and low running costs. The Alto was replaced by the Celerio city car, which Suzuki says offers the interior space of the Splash as well as the inexpensive appeal of the Alto.

You'll be able to find one engine, a 1.0-litre petrol that produces 67bhp. As you'd expect it isn't especially dynamic to drive - 0 to 62mph takes 13.5 seconds with a manual gearbox and a snail-like 17 seconds with an automatic - but it isn't as bad as it sounds around town thanks to light and agile handling. Circa 64mpg combined is quite impressive, too.

Being a budget-focused car, you won't get any premium materials when it comes to the interior, but you will get durable ones. Hard plastics make up the bulk of the dashboard, designed to offer longevity over luxury. Adults can fit in the back, but head and legroom may be limited, so it's best to keep to shorter journeys when four deep. 129 litres of boot space is enough for the weekly shop; the seats can also be dropped if you need more room.

Insurance is low-cost, with all models residing in group 4 out of 50. Low cost servicing and maintenance can also be carried out at your local Evans Halshaw dealership. Based on the same platform, the Nissan Pixo is the first place to look for alternatives. More contemporary designs can also be found on examples such as the Skoda Citigo and Citroën C1.