The Toyota Aygo Mk1 (AB10) is a quintessential A-segment city car, born from the 'B-Zero' joint venture between Toyota and PSA Peugeot-Citroën. Built at the TPCA plant in Kolín, Czech Republic, it shares its chassis, engines, and most components with the Peugeot 107 and Citroën C1. The Aygo stands out with its slightly different front/rear styling and Toyota's reputation for reliability. It received two facelifts (2009 and 2012) which slightly updated the exterior and improved interior materials and sound deadening. Designed strictly for urban environments, it offers minimal weight (under 900 kg), ultra-low running costs, and exceptional maneuverability, though it compromises on boot space, sound insulation, and long-distance refinement.
The Mk1 Toyota Aygo is one of the smartest used buys for pure city driving or as a first car. Its 1.0L 3-cylinder petrol engine is a masterpiece of durability, provided basic maintenance is respected. Buy a manual 1.0L petrol, ideally a post-2009 facelift model where the clutch and water pump issues were resolved from the factory. Avoid the MMT automated gearbox at all costs due to its poor driving dynamics and high failure rate. The 1.4L diesel is unnecessary for a car of this size and brings unwanted PSA-era diesel reliability risks. Be prepared to fix minor water leaks in the boot, but mechanically, a manual petrol Aygo will outlast most of its rivals.