Why you should buy this small, affordable and charming used city car
July 14, 2025 by Mat Watson
Car changing is a big deal
Cars like the Volkswagen Up are dying, which is a shame because this dinky hatchback feels premium, is spacious for its size and it’s packed with charm.
Tiny, affordable city cars are getting rare these days. The Kia Picanto and Hyundai i10 are the only two left standing, but a few years ago there was a lot more choice. You had the Vauxhall Adam, the Citroen C1 and, my favourite, the Volkswagen Up.
I’ve made a whole video on the death of cheap cars – the need for more and more safety tech means they’re just not profitable anymore. And this is a shame, because the Volkswagen Up is an excellent runaround, and used prices are looking very tempting.
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
Used Volkswagen Up deals: less than £4,000 for this excellent small car
The cheapest Volkswagen Up for sale on Carwow right now is up for just £3,500. This one’s getting up there in terms of mileage – it’s done over 95,000 miles – but as long as it’s been maintained properly it should still provide you with years of faithful service.
The one which caught my eye, however, was a 2017 Beats edition. It’s done just 30,000 miles, and it’s listed for £7,399. The Beats edition gets some funky red accents outside, some cool-looking trim on the dashboard and, of course, a Beats audio system.
Why should you buy a Volkswagen Up?
If you’re looking for a small, affordable car which will cost peanuts to run, the Volkswagen Up is a great shout. The 1.0-litre engine may not be all that powerful, but you’ll easily get upwards of 50mpg out of it without trying. The Up is great for young drivers as well thanks to the low insurance group.
It’s also surprisingly spacious for its size. There are only two seats in the rear, but headroom is decent and there’s enough legroom for adults on short trips. The boot is also big enough for the weekly shop, and the rear seats fold completely flat if you need more space.
The interior may be fairly spartan, but it’s really well built and there’s something quite charming about all the exposed painted metal inside. It’s a nice, bright cabin. You also get all the essentials like bluetooth audio and remote central locking as standard, but be aware that really basic versions don’t have air conditioning.
Used Volkswagen Up alternatives
Not sold on the Volkswagen Up? Here are three alternatives to consider:
Kia Picanto – used from £4,000
Loads of tech as standard and nice to drive, although the engines are a bit weedy.
Hyundai i10 – used from £4,000
Stylish, practical and good fun to drive, but avoid the awful automatic gearbox.
Toyota Aygo X – used from £10,000
An impressive amount of driver assistance tech and chunky styling, but expensive for what it is.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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