CHEVROLET inherited most of its small cars from Daewoo when it first appeared in the UK, a situation it was anxious to rectify.
Probably the best of the Daewoo carryover models was the Matiz, a car that was an inexpensive city scoot that you wouldn't get too precious about. That car was replaced in 2010 by the Spark, a far plusher thing that had what we now know as the Chevy identity shot right through it.
This ought to have been a big seller, but for some reason sales never really ignited. What's bad news for Chevrolet on the new market can be great news for you when shopping for used. The Spark deserved better than it got. Used ones can therefore be a big bargain.
Not a lot goes wrong with the Spark. The engines are all tough little things and the interiors stand up well, too. Check the tyre wear for signs of suspension misalignment from bumping kerbs, looked for dinged wheel rims, supermarket trolley scrapes and missing trim parts. Otherwise there's not a lot to report here.
The Spark is an interesting and smartly finished alternative to the usual city car contenders. Its place in the hierarchy is not clear now that a new wave of VW products has laid siege to the class, but if this makes the Spark a tough car to recommend as a new buy it doesn't mean it's a bad used pick. Quite the opposite in fact.
It drives well, is strongly built and comes with a five-year warranty. Prices seem to be on the floor right now at a time when used small car bargains are hard to find. Here, though, is a copper-bottomed cert.
