Used Toyota Aygo review

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The Toyota Aygo was first launched in 2005 and was a success - its funky looks, ultra-low running costs, excellent reliability and appeal to young drivers were all factors in that. It remains a decent used choice and there are some very cheap examples available on the used market of the first-generation car.

The second-generation model, took the car's theme and ran with it. Even more dramatic looks added appeal, and thanks to the ongoing agreement between Toyota, Citroen and Peugeot (for the Aygo, C1 and 108 respectively to share a platform) the Mk2 Aygo was as well developed as the first. It was also fitted with more safety kit, was quieter inside, had more room and best of all, was really cheap.

Used models are good value too, and make a fantastic first car because the small 1.0-litre engines are cheap to insure. The small engines also mean fuel economy is impressive, so running costs overall are really low. The Aygo should be a reliable car, too.

Models covered​

  • Toyota Aygo Mk1 (2005-2014) - Mk1 version of city car is a fun used choice for frugal drivers.
  • Toyota Aygo Mk2 (2014-date) - Trendy Aygo Mk2 city car is a value-for-money choice.

Toyota Aygo Mk2​

Used Toyota Aygo - side

Used Toyota Aygo - side
Used Toyota Aygo - interior

Used Toyota Aygo - interior
Used Toyota Aygo - rear

Used Toyota Aygo - rear
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - front

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - front
Used Toyota Aygo - dash

Used Toyota Aygo - dash
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - rear

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - rear
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - front static

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - front static
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - rear static

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - rear static
Used Toyota Aygo - suspension

Used Toyota Aygo - suspension
Used Toyota Aygo - full rear

Used Toyota Aygo - full rear
Used Toyota Aygo - engine

Used Toyota Aygo - engine
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - cabin

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - cabin
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - dash

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - dash
Used Toyota Aygo - front seats

Used Toyota Aygo - front seats
Used Toyota Aygo - front

Used Toyota Aygo - front
Used Toyota Aygo - boot hinges

Used Toyota Aygo - boot hinges
Used Toyota Aygo - full front

Used Toyota Aygo - full front

History​


The second-generation Toyota Aygo launched in summer 2014 and used a 1.0-litre petrol engine with either a five-speed manual or an automated manual gearbox, called x-shift. It's functionally the same as an automatic, as you don't have to change gear yourself, but it's not as smooth as most true auto gearboxes.

There was a choice of three or five doors and x, x-play or x-pression trims, plus x-cite and x-clusiv special editions. In August 2015 Toyota’s Safety Sense pack became optional on all models, adding AEB, Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Warning.

A facelifted Aygo arrived in 2018, in x, x-play, x-press, x-plore, x-cite and x-clusiv specs. There have also been x-claim, x-wave and x-pure editions.

Toyota Aygo Mk2 reviews​


Toyota Aygo in-depth review
Toyota Aygo 1.0 x-clusiv review
Toyota Aygo 1.0 x-pression review
Toyota Aygo 1.0 x review

Which one should I buy?​


The second-generation Aygo has a simple range - there's one engine, a 1.0-litre petrol, and either a manual or automatic transmission. The manual is more common and the better buy but if you only have an auto licence then you can choose the automatic version.

You can also choose models with three or five doors. The latter is the better choice for most as it's more practical and therefore more popular, but you can get a bargain on a three-door if you don't expect to need the back doors much.

Entry-level Aygos are pretty spartan; their only key piece of kit is electric front windows. Mid-range x-play cars get a DAB radio, air-con, Bluetooth and electric door mirrors. The x-pression adds alloys, part-leather trim and an infotainment touchscreen with a parking camera.

Used Toyota Aygo - side

Used Toyota Aygo - side
Used Toyota Aygo - interior

Used Toyota Aygo - interior
Used Toyota Aygo - rear

Used Toyota Aygo - rear
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - front

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - front
Used Toyota Aygo - dash

Used Toyota Aygo - dash
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - rear

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - rear
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - front static

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - front static
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - rear static

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - rear static
Used Toyota Aygo - suspension

Used Toyota Aygo - suspension
Used Toyota Aygo - full rear

Used Toyota Aygo - full rear
Used Toyota Aygo - engine

Used Toyota Aygo - engine
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - cabin

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - cabin
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - dash

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - dash
Used Toyota Aygo - front seats

Used Toyota Aygo - front seats
Used Toyota Aygo - front

Used Toyota Aygo - front
Used Toyota Aygo - boot hinges

Used Toyota Aygo - boot hinges
Used Toyota Aygo - full front

Used Toyota Aygo - full front

Alternatives to the Toyota Aygo Mk2​


The Hyundai i10 and its cousin, the Kia Picanto, come with long warranties like the Aygo, and it's easy to find models with plenty of time left on them. These cars are good to drive, practical and have better interiors than the Aygo but aren't as quirky or interesting.

The Volkswagen up!, Skoda Citigo and SEAT Mii are fantastic city cars and bring refinement, cheeky styling, strength and dependability. All three are basically the same car so price is the main factor but we like all three more than any other used city car.

Used Toyota Aygo - side

Used Toyota Aygo - side
Used Toyota Aygo - interior

Used Toyota Aygo - interior
Used Toyota Aygo - rear

Used Toyota Aygo - rear
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - front

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - front
Used Toyota Aygo - dash

Used Toyota Aygo - dash
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - rear

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - rear
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - front static

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - front static
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - rear static

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - rear static
Used Toyota Aygo - suspension

Used Toyota Aygo - suspension
Used Toyota Aygo - full rear

Used Toyota Aygo - full rear
Used Toyota Aygo - engine

Used Toyota Aygo - engine
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - cabin

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - cabin
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - dash

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - dash
Used Toyota Aygo - front seats

Used Toyota Aygo - front seats
Used Toyota Aygo - front

Used Toyota Aygo - front
Used Toyota Aygo - boot hinges

Used Toyota Aygo - boot hinges
Used Toyota Aygo - full front

Used Toyota Aygo - full front

You could also buy a Citroen C1 or Peugeot 108, which are the same car made on the same production line as the Aygo. Designs and prices differ slightly from the Toyota and they came with three-year warranties, compared with the five-year Japanese offering.

What to look for​

Shocks​


Some early Aygos had clunking rear dampers; new ones should have been fitted under warranty.

Nav​


Optional navigation is a TomTom-based system. Despite this, dealers charge £150 or so to update it.

Lock​


The tailgate lock can go out of alignment, so you can’t get into the boot. Adjustment is all that’s needed.

Warranty​


Aygo’s five-year maker’s warranty has a 100,000-mile limit and there’s also a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty.

Interior​


There’s room for four if your passengers aren’t tall; the rear has seatbelts and headrests for only two people. The rising window line can make things feel claustrophobic in the back, while the side windows pop open rather than wind down. Entry-level cars miss out on driver’s seat height adjustment, and boot capacity is below average at 168 or 812 litres.

Used Toyota Aygo - side

Used Toyota Aygo - side
Used Toyota Aygo - interior

Used Toyota Aygo - interior
Used Toyota Aygo - rear

Used Toyota Aygo - rear
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - front

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - front
Used Toyota Aygo - dash

Used Toyota Aygo - dash
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - rear

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - rear
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - front static

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - front static
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - rear static

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - rear static
Used Toyota Aygo - suspension

Used Toyota Aygo - suspension
Used Toyota Aygo - full rear

Used Toyota Aygo - full rear
Used Toyota Aygo - engine

Used Toyota Aygo - engine
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - cabin

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - cabin
Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - dash

Used Toyota Aygo Mk2 - dash
Used Toyota Aygo - front seats

Used Toyota Aygo - front seats
Used Toyota Aygo - front

Used Toyota Aygo - front
Used Toyota Aygo - boot hinges

Used Toyota Aygo - boot hinges
Used Toyota Aygo - full front

Used Toyota Aygo - full front

Prices​


See the latest Toyota Aygo prices on our sister site BuyaCar or use our free valuation tool to price specific models...

Running costs​


A service is required every year or 10,000 miles. There are three levels of maintenance: Intermediate (£145), Full (£255) and Full+ (£295), with the latter due at 60,000 and 100,000 miles.

Pre-paid service plans are available from £15 per month, but once an Aygo reaches its fifth birthday it’s eligible for cut-price maintenance at £99 for an intermediate check and £180 for a major inspection.

There’s no cambelt to change, which helps to keep running costs down, but fresh coolant is required after 100,000 miles and then every 50,000 miles, at £75.

An air-conditioning re-gas will set you back £130, while a complete air-con service comes in at £170.

Recalls​


There’s been just one recall for the second-generation Aygo, which was in June 2016. It affected cars built in September and October 2014, which could suffer from steering column failure, leading to a loss of control.

Driver Power owner satisfaction​


The Aygo came in 43rd in the Driver Power 2018 new car survey, and owners loved its ultra-low running costs, infotainment and connectivity. Yet the car didn't feature in the 2020 top 75 cars. However the mechanically identical Citroen C1 did, in 72nd place.

Verdict​


When you bear in mind that the second-generation Aygo only comes with a 1.0-litre petrol engine that is linked to either a manual or automatic gearbox, the number of variations on the theme is surprisingly large. There have been many permutations and combinations of trim levels, special editions, door configurations, roof design (fixed metal or slide-back cloth) and transmissions since its launch. But any Aygo that has been cared for is worth a closer look; the pint-sized Toyota was voted best city car by our readers in the Driver Power 2017 owner satisfaction survey. While it’s not really cut out for long-distance drives, the Aygo is perfect for short trips thanks to its low running costs, plus diminutive proportions that make parking a breeze.

Click here for our full used buyer’s guide on the Toyota Aygo Mk1

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