HYUNDAI'S i10 was originally a no nonsense city car that was cheap to buy and to run, with excellent economy, low emissions and a superb transferable seven year warranty.

It sold in large numbers in the UK and I thought the company would stick with the same philosophy when the second i10 came out in 2014.

But instead, the Korean car maker decided to give the new model a more quality feel so that it would attract buyers on its own merits and not just because it was cheap.

Yet prices were kept well down so that they are still reasonable to buy on the secondhand market.

First though a word of warning that applies to all secondhand cars, whether buying from a dealer or privately: if you're not absolutely sure about a car, or the seller seems dodgy, walk away. There's always another car to go and see.

And make sure any car you buy - unless it's a real banger - has full service history with all the stamps in the book. If it's been well cared-for you know it's more likely to serve you well too.

Hyundai's reliability has been very good ever since it launched in this country and although secondhand i10 prices are low, the chances are you will still get many happy miles out of one.

They are all very easy to drive, manoeuvre and park and for what is a pretty small car, they feel spacious inside, with good quality materials.

The second generation model has only just been replaced. It comes with a choice of two petrol engines - a three cylinder 1.0-litre with 67bhp, also available with Bluedrive fuel saving measures, and a four-cylinder 1.2 with 87bhp.

Both are very good in their way, refined and very economical. The 1.0-litre Bluedrive is capable of no less than 55 miles per gallon and just 106 grammes per kilometre of carbon dioxide emissions, but it does takes 14.3 seconds to reach 60 miles an hour from rest.

The 1.2 is capable of 51mpg and 125g/km of CO2, but covers the sprint in a better 11.7 seconds.

The Bluedrive models come with low rolling resistance tyres and other fuel saving tech that helps make them so reasonable to run and all the 1.0-litre models in the range come with unbeatable group 1-2 insurance.

Good power steering, small size and an almost vertical rear make these little cars very town friendly and they also cope well with longer trips.

As well as a five-speed manual gearbox there's a four speed automatic but this runs out of oomph at anything above 60 miles an hour and is to be avoided unless you have to have it.

There is some wind and road noise but it's not too intrusive and the engine is smooth and reasonably quiet until pressed.

Handling and road-holding are good, giving a fair amount of fun through the corners and although the driving position is not perfect, I didn't find it really uncomfortable.

There's room for four adults, and comfort is up to or better than other city cars. The boot is pretty small but the back seats fold to give more space.

All have five doors and base S models have a height adjustable steering column, front and side airbags, front electric windows and body colour bumpers.

The SE adds an alarm, heated electric mirrors, height adjust driver's seat, rear electric windows and remote locking, while you need to go up to Premium to get alloy wheels and remote audio control and to Play models to get air conditioning, cruise and traction control.

Pay about £4,500 for a '16 16-reg 1 litre SE Bluedrive, or £7,900 for an '18 18-reg 1.2 Premium.