About the Toyota Aygo
AI-generatedThe Toyota Aygo is a small city car that has been a popular choice for UK drivers since 2005. Built in collaboration with Peugeot and Citroën (sharing its platform with the 108 and C1), the Aygo offers Toyota's renowned reliability in an affordable, economical package. The first generation ran until 2014, with the second generation (2014-2022) bringing more personality with its distinctive 'X' front grille design and improved interior quality. Powered by a modest 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing around 70bhp, the Aygo isn't fast but is perfectly suited to urban driving where its compact dimensions, light steering, and tight turning circle make parking a breeze. Standard models are basic but honest, while higher trims like the x-cite and x-clusiv add touchscreen infotainment, reversing cameras, and colour-coded styling. Running costs are impressively low, with excellent fuel economy, cheap insurance, and minimal servicing requirements making it ideal for first-time buyers and city dwellers.
Known Issues
Known Issues
First Generation (2005-2014)
2005-2014
- Clutch cables can snap without warning, particularly on higher mileage examples
- Dashboard warning lights may illuminate due to faulty wheel speed sensors
- Boot lock mechanism can fail, preventing boot opening
- Power steering can become heavy due to failing motor or sensor issues
- Air conditioning systems prone to losing refrigerant and requiring regas
Second Generation (2014-2022)
2014-2022
- Touchscreen infotainment system can be slow to respond or freeze occasionally
- Front brake discs may wear prematurely and develop judder
- Reversing camera image quality can deteriorate or fail completely
- Minor electrical glitches including Bluetooth connectivity problems
- Rear suspension bushes can wear causing knocking noises over bumps
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Running Costs
Running Costs
Annual Fuel
£1,100
Insurance Group
6-9
Average Service
£180
Cost Calculator
Typical Prices
£11,000 - £13,500
£8,500 - £11,000
£6,500 - £8,500
£3,500 - £5,500
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely economical with real-world fuel consumption of 55-60mpg
- Very low insurance groups making it ideal for young or new drivers
- Excellent reliability backed by Toyota's reputation
- Cheap to service and maintain with affordable parts
- Compact size perfect for city driving and parking
- Free road tax on many models (pre-2017 registration)
- Fun, characterful styling especially on second generation models
Photo by Safi Erneste on Pexels
Best & Worst Years
Best & Worst Years
Best Years
- 2019 - Benefits from all mid-cycle improvements including better infotainment, Toyota Safety Sense available, and refined build quality, while avoiding first-year issues of the 2014 redesign
- 2021 - Final model year improvements with most reliable touchscreen system, best standard equipment levels, and all issues ironed out before production ended
Worst Years
- 2006 - Early production models suffered from more frequent clutch cable failures and build quality niggles that were later resolved
- 2014 - First year of second generation had teething problems with the new touchscreen system and some early production quality issues
Buying Checklist
Engine5 items
- Check for oil leaks around valve cover gasket
- Listen for unusual rattles from timing chain on startup
- Ensure engine starts promptly when cold
- Check exhaust for blue smoke indicating oil burning
- Test drive for smooth acceleration without hesitation
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
The Aygo was built at the same Czech factory as the Peugeot 108 and Citroën C1, with all three cars sharing approximately 90% of their components
The name 'Aygo' is pronounced 'I-go' and was chosen to reflect the car's role as a personal, independent form of transport
Toyota offered a special 'x-wave' model with a retractable canvas roof section, providing an affordable convertible-style experience
The Aygo was the cheapest new Toyota available in the UK for many years, with prices starting below £10,000
Alternatives to Consider
Peugeot 108
Mechanically identical to Aygo but with different styling and potentially more equipment for similar money
Volkswagen up!
More refined interior, better motorway manners, but slightly higher running costs and purchase price
Hyundai i10
8/10More spacious interior and boot, longer warranty, but marginally higher insurance and running costs
Kia Picanto
8/10Similar size with longer warranty, more modern interior on newer models, and competitive pricing
Owner Tips
- 1Change the engine oil annually even if mileage is low to maintain engine health
- 2Check the clutch cable regularly on pre-2014 models and replace preventatively around 60,000 miles
- 3The lightweight body is prone to minor car park damage - touch up paint chips promptly to prevent rust
- 4Use premium fuel occasionally to keep the fuel system clean and prevent carbon buildup
- 5Have air conditioning serviced every two years to prevent refrigerant loss
- 6The small engine works hard on motorways - avoid sustained high-speed driving if possible
- 7Check all electrical functions when buying as minor gremlins can be frustrating
- 8Keep up with software updates for the touchscreen system on 2014+ models
Check a specific Toyota Aygo
Enter a registration number to see MOT history, tax status and more