Vertu Used Car Event now on! Get £500 off PLUS an extra £500 when you part-exchange. Offer ends 16 November 2026
Compact, cheap and cheerful, the used Citroen C1 is Citroen's entry-level city hatch, ideal for new drivers and commuters with light controls, easy parking and low running costs, plus neat touchscreen tech on later cars. Browse fully checked, second hand C1s for sale with Vertu, flexible finance and a 14-day money-back guarantee.
The C1 was designed to make city motoring simple, affordable and fun, and it succeeded. Its compact size, distinctive vertical light signature and wide choice of colours and special editions gave it real personality, making it one of the more likeable small cars of its era.
The used market is where the C1 makes the most sense, especially as production has now ended. With depreciation long since settled, an economical, easy-to-park city car becomes very affordable, backed by simple, proven engineering shared across a family of city cars.
Where a car still qualifies, any remaining manufacturer warranty transfers to you as the new keeper, and every C1 at Vertu is prepared and checked before it reaches the forecourt. For a used city car with charm and low running costs, the C1 is a smart choice.
Yes, particularly for new drivers and city dwellers who want the lowest possible running costs. The C1 is powered by a light, frugal 1.0-litre VTi petrol engine producing 72PS, offered with a five-speed manual or an ETG automated manual gearbox.
Thanks to its low 840kg kerb weight, it returns strong economy, up to around 57mpg on the combined cycle, with low CO2 emissions that keep tax and insurance costs down. A tight turning circle and light steering make it exceptionally easy to drive and park in town.
Every used C1 sold by Vertu is checked before it reaches the forecourt as part of our used car preparation process, covering no outstanding finance, no history as a taxi, and no salvage or write-off record. With that preparation and any remaining warranty, a used C1 is a low-risk, low-cost small-car buy.
The C1 suits several kinds of buyer. The table below pairs four of them with the version that fits best.
| Buyer Type | Why the C1 Fits |
|---|---|
| New and younger drivers | Low insurance groups, light controls and low running costs make the C1 an ideal, affordable first car. |
| City drivers | A compact 3.46-metre length and small turning circle make the C1 exceptionally easy to park and manoeuvre. |
| Open-air enthusiasts | The C1 Airscape adds a full-length sliding canvas roof that opens at up to 70mph for open-top city driving. |
| Style-led buyers | Special editions such as the Urban Ride, ELLE and Origins add distinctive styling and personalisation. |
The C1 is about as easy and inexpensive to live with as cars get. It is light, nimble and simple to park, while the cabin is bright and cheerful, with colour-coded trim and, on higher versions, a 7-inch touchscreen with Mirror Screen technology supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink.
For a city car it is practical enough, seating four adults, with a 196-litre boot that expands to 780 litres with the rear seats folded. Higher trims and later editions added features such as a reversing camera, air conditioning, keyless entry and start, and driver aids including a Lane Departure Warning System and Active City Brake.
Running costs stay among the lowest of any car, thanks to the efficient engine, light weight and simple mechanicals. Once a C1 reaches Vertu it is inspected and prepared by our technicians before sale, and servicing it through Vertu's colleagues helps keep it running to manufacturer standards.
The C1 was sold in a core trim ladder of Touch, Feel and Flair, alongside distinctive special editions including Urban Ride and Origins. The table below sets out how equipment builds across the core grades.
These details reflect the later specification before production ended. The C1 was sold across a long life with many trims and special editions, so used examples vary, so confirm the specification of any specific car with your local dealership.
| Feature | Touch | Feel | Flair |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior & Wheels | |||
| Wheels | 14-inch Star covers | 15-inch Comet covers | 15-inch Planet alloys |
| LED daytime running lights | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dark tinted rear windows & chrome trim | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Heated & electrically adjustable door mirrors | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Comfort & Interior | |||
| Air conditioning | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 50/50 split-folding rear seats | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather steering wheel & gear knob | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Rev counter | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Technology & Multimedia | |||
| Audio system | MP3 with 2 speakers, USB | 7-inch touchscreen, DAB, 4 speakers | 7-inch touchscreen, DAB, 4 speakers |
| Mirror Screen (CarPlay, Android Auto, MirrorLink) | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth & steering-mounted controls | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reversing camera | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Safety & Convenience | |||
| Six airbags & Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist & ISOFIX | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Space-saver spare wheel | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Active City Brake & Lane Departure Warning | ✗ | Option | Option |
*Equipment shown reflects later C1 specification and is typical rather than guaranteed on any specific car. Availability varies by model year, trim, body style and options fitted when new.
The C1 was petrol only, powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, with a choice of manual or ETG automated manual gearboxes. The table below sets out the key figures from the brochure.
| Specification | VTi 72 Manual | VTi 72 ETG Auto |
|---|---|---|
| Engine & Transmission | ||
| Engine | 1.0-litre petrol, 3-cyl | 1.0-litre petrol, 3-cyl |
| Power | 72PS | 72PS |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual | 5-speed automated manual |
| Performance & Economy | ||
| 0-62mph | 14.0 seconds | 17.1 seconds |
| Maximum speed | 99 mph | 99 mph |
| Fuel economy (combined, up to) | 57.3mpg | 55.0mpg |
| CO2 emissions | from 93 g/km | from 95 g/km |
| Dimensions & Practicality | ||
| Length | 3,465 mm | 3,465 mm |
| Boot (seats up / down) | 196 / 780 litres | 196 / 780 litres |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
*Figures are drawn from Citroen's C1 brochure. Fuel economy is shown on the combined cycle; CO2 figures are NEDC-equivalent as published. Actual economy and performance vary with weather, driving style, load and conditions, and used examples from other model years will differ.
Every used Citroen C1 at Vertu goes through the same preparation before it reaches the forecourt, covered by our used car preparation policy. That means an HPI finance check, a full mechanical inspection, and confirmation the car has never been used as a taxi or recorded as a salvage or write-off.
If you're replacing an existing car, Vertu's part-exchange process gives a free, instant online valuation before you commit to anything, and finance options including PCP and HP are available on used stock. Our finance explained guide covers how each option works in plain English.
For current Citroen C1 availability, the most accurate route is to speak to your local dealership. If you'd prefer a slightly larger Citroen, the used Citroen C3 is worth a look, or explore the wider used Citroen range.
Vertu stocks used Citroen cars across its Citroen dealerships nationwide. Browse the full range of used Citroen cars for sale online to see current availability, including the C1 and its alternatives. Once you're on the road, Vertu's Citroen servicing team keeps every example running to manufacturer standards, with fixed-price packages and manufacturer-trained technicians.
Yes. The C1 is a popular choice for new drivers, thanks to its compact size, light and easy controls, low insurance groups and very low running costs. Its simple mechanicals also help keep maintenance affordable.
These qualities make it one of the most sensible and affordable first cars on the used market.
The Citroen C1 is powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 72PS, with a choice of five-speed manual or ETG automated manual gearboxes. Thanks to the car's light weight, it is efficient, returning up to around 57mpg.
The manual is the more responsive choice, while the ETG automatic adds convenience for town driving.
The C1 Airscape is the open-top version of the C1, featuring a full-length sliding canvas roof measuring 800mm by 760mm that opens and closes electrically at speeds up to 70mph. The roof is offered in a choice of colours, including red, blue and black.
It brings an open-air driving experience to the compact C1 while keeping its easy city-car character.
The Citroen C1 offers 196 litres of boot space with the rear seats up, rising to 780 litres with the split-folding rear seats down on equipped versions. While compact, it is enough for the shopping or a couple of small cases.
Its city-car dimensions prioritise easy parking and manoeuvrability over outright load space.
The C1 was developed alongside the Peugeot 108 and Toyota Aygo and shares much of its engineering with them, including the 1.0-litre petrol engine and platform. Each brand gave its version distinct styling and interior touches, so they look and feel different despite the shared underpinnings.
This shared development helped keep all three affordable and simple to maintain.
Every used Citroen C1 sold by Vertu is checked before it reaches the forecourt. That means confirmed free of outstanding finance, never used as a taxi, and free of any salvage or write-off history, alongside a full mechanical inspection.
That preparation also covers bodywork and wheel refurbishment, interior repairs where needed, and a minimum of six months or 6,000 miles before the next service or MOT is due. Full details are in our used car preparation policy.