Peugeot 206
1998-2009
Fun to drive and best appreciated with a missing wheel trim, this was never the best-built small hatch, yet it has bags of character. It feels cheap, but that’s part of the appeal of this old-school supermini, which is relatively simple and easy to live with.
The best engines are the 1.1 and 1.4 petrols. Then there is the really old-school 1.9 D, which is simpler to look after than an HDI and gives 65mpg. Basic Style trim is fine unless you want the sheer luxury of a GLX or SE instead.
There is only an average amount of room inside and you should drive before you buy because it can be oddly uncomfortable for the steerer. The engines are pretty strong and overall it’s cheap to run. But look out for worn lower ball joints, broken engine mounts, rattly sunroofs and, on autos, ECU issues.