2018 Toyota Aygo 1.0L Petrol · HJ18 NHP

The 1.0-litre petrol Aygo is one of the most economical non-hybrid small cars on sale, with real-world fuel economy typically between 50 and 60 mpg, translating to roughly £1,200-£1,400 per year in fuel for a typical commuter covering 6,000-8,000 miles. Road tax is free for this vehicle, as all Aygos registered after March 2017 with CO2 emissions under 100g/km fall into the zero-rated VED band. Insurance sits in group 5 or 6 depending on trim, meaning annual premiums of around £350-£500 for a typical driver. Routine maintenance is generally inexpensive, with a major service (including timing chain inspection and brake fluid change) costing roughly £150-£200 at an independent garage. Cambelt replacement is not required on this engine, but the chain should be inspected at higher mileages. Budget approximately £300-£500 per year for general maintenance and wear-and-tear items, giving an estimated annual running cost of around £1,000-£1,300.

Focus your inspection on the items flagged in the MOT history and on known Aygo weak points. The 2025 test recorded perishing on all four tyres simultaneously, which is unusual and may suggest the car has been stored unused for extended periods — check for flat spots, dry rot on any remaining rubber components, and confirm the spare tyre is in serviceable condition. Inspect the windscreen carefully, as the model aggregate data identifies headlamp and windscreen wiper failures as common MOT issues for the Aygo, often relating to deteriorated wiper linkages and cloudy headlamp lenses. Check the clutch bite point and ensure smooth gear selection across all ratios — the Aygo's manual gearbox is generally robust but can develop selector wear. Examine the front suspension arms, bushes and drop links, as suspension components feature prominently in Aygo MOT failures across the model range. Finally, verify all dashboard warning lights illuminate correctly and clear after start-up, given that the 2022 test noted items obstructing the driver's view — ensure nothing has been left taped or stuck over warning symbols.