If you're in need of a city car, there are many second-hand vehicles out there that are ideal for using as run-arounds, allowing you to easily nip between places. Read on for a guide to the top used vehicles to own in the city.

Ford Fiesta Zetec

Ford has been producing high-quality cars for more than 100 years, so you can be confident that the manufacturer is at the top of its game when it comes to making vehicles designed for daily life. It now has a huge range and many versions of its models, including the Ford Fiesta Zetec.

The 2009 model has been popular since its launch, and this supermini is ideal for driving around cities. It is small enough to fit into narrow lanes and squeeze into tight parking spaces. However, you will also find that the interior is roomy with various storage solutions. It also has a luggage capacity of 979 litres when the seats are down, which means this car is useful for taking to the countryside or on long trips when required.

When you're driving around a town or city all day, you'll also become acutely aware of the fumes caused by vehicles. You'll be pleased to find out that the Fiesta Zetec has a five-star Euro NCAP rating, giving off CO2 emissions at a rate of 124 g/km.

Vauxhall Corsa

This vehicle has been a popular one among city residents for many years, as it is small, economical and durable, so you don't have to worry about it falling apart in the near future. The features you will get with the Corsa will depend on its age, but a 2006 or younger model typically has a hatchback roof that allows you to fit a lot of belongings in the boot and you can flatten the back seats to extend this space further.

Remote locking, electric windows, power steering, airbags, CD players and an anti-brake system (ABS) are standard on Corsas of this age.

Other fixtures that you can choose from include headlights that can see around corners, integrated bike racks and air conditioning, so if you're looking at used cars, it is important to make a note of what specific features the vehicle you are interested in comes with.

Toyto Aygo

Vauxhall Corsas may come with lots of additional features, but if you want a really small car, the Toyota Aygo might be the ideal option for you. This is a very compact supermini and measures just 3.4 m in length and 1.6 m in width, so you don't have to worry about finding car parking spaces from now on, as you'll fit anywhere with this little car.

As well as its small size, there are other benefits to getting your hands on the Aygo. For a start, it has low CO2 emissions (99 g/km), which is great if you are conscious of the damage your driving is doing to the environment. It also has four airbags, so you can be confident all your passengers are protected in the event of an accident, and it comes with anchor points for ISOFIX child seats, which is ideal if you need your car to run around town with your little ones in tow.

What's more, you don't have to worry too much about boot space, as you can remove the rear parcel shelf to extend the room here – perfect for parents who have to bring lots of bags, books and toys with them whenever they take their little ones out.

There are many options when it comes to buying cars these days, not just in terms of the style of motor you choose but also how you pay for it. You can choose a personal contract purchase agreement, for instance, which means you can spread the cost of the car with monthly installments and you can easily change the vehicle in the future, so if you move away and your requirements for a city car change, you shouldn't have a problem getting a new automobile.