Used Citroen C1 for sale near Preston

CarGurus expert rating: 3 out of 5
CarGurus user rating: 3.4 out of 5
Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 31.9%
Overall CarGurus rating:* 3.9 out of 5
Available Listings: Around 500
Average Price: Around £5,000

Citroen C1 (2014-2020) Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Cute and quirky looks	Very small boot, even for a city car
Easy to drive and small enough to make parking a doddle	A VW Up is better to drive
Funky roll-top version	The Citroen's new car warranty is short compared with those offered by Hyundai and Kia

Quick Summary

The Citroen C1 (2014-2020) is a relatively basic small city car, ideal for urban runabout duties and well suited to younger drivers embarking on car ownership for the first time. Its cute and quirky design appeals to urban car owners, and there's even a quasi-convertible Airspace version with a cloth roof that rolls back to create an open-top car. Inside, it's all pretty basic with hard plastics and cloth seats, but that's understandable for a budget-focused vehicle. The C1 feels surprisingly spacious for tall drivers, though the rear seats are cramped and the 196-litre boot is limited compared to rivals.

The C1 is a fine little urban runabout with light steering and a small turning circle, making it very usable in town. However, it's not accomplished on faster roads, with noticeable body roll when cornering and suspension that struggles with bumps. All versions are powered by efficient three-cylinder petrol engines with a five-speed gearbox, returning over 65mpg officially and around 55mpg in real-world use. Both engines emit less than 100g/km CO2, resulting in very low road tax and insurance costs. The C1 requires servicing every 12 months or 9,300 miles, with costs starting from around £120.

Best for: Urban drivers, younger drivers embarking on car ownership for the first time, and those seeking an affordable, easy-to-park city car with distinctive styling.

Not ideal for: Drivers needing a spacious boot, those prioritising driving dynamics, or buyers seeking a longer new car warranty comparable to Hyundai and Kia offerings.


Comparison vs Key Rivals



The Verdict

You should buy the C1 if: You're an urban driver, a younger driver embarking on car ownership for the first time, or seeking an affordable, easy-to-park city car with distinctive styling.

Consider alternatives if: You need a spacious boot, prioritise driving dynamics, or require a longer new car warranty comparable to Hyundai and Kia offerings.

Competitive Position: The Citroen C1 (2014-2020) is a charming city car with distinctive styling and excellent affordability, making it ideal for urban drivers and first-time buyers. However, it faces strong competition in this segment. The Hyundai i10 is a very good car to drive with superior reliability backing, the Volkswagen Up offers greater badge appeal and better driving dynamics, whilst the Kia Picanto provides more practicality and a superior warranty. The C1's problem is that it doesn't offer a compelling proposition in any one area when compared to its rivals, and in some cases those rivals offer distinct advantages. It should be on your shortlist, but don't be surprised if you prefer one of its rivals.

Read our full Citroen C1 Review

*The Overall CarGurus rating: that informs these recommendations is based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from May 2026, CarGurus expert reviews, and CarGurus user reviews.