Opel Karl Karl

The Opel Karl (2015–2019) is Opel's last city car — built by GM Korea (Changwon), identical to the Chevrolet Spark and Vauxhall Viva. Four years of production, then it was over — PSA had no successor planned. As a used car, the Karl is a classic commuter vehicle: cheap to buy and run, straightforward in its technology, but with a few quirks.

Market overview: In 2026, well-maintained examples (2017–2019, 40,000–70,000 km) cost 5,000–8,000 EUR. Early models (2015–2016) with higher mileage from 3,500 EUR. The Karl is cheaper than a comparable VW up! or Toyota Aygo — and technically less complicated than both. Insurance and tax are minimal, real-world consumption is 5.0–5.8 litres of unleaded.

Engine choice: There is only one engine — the B10XE (1.0 three-cylinder, 54 kW/73 PS). No turbo, no complications. The engine runs with a timing chain instead of a belt — but the chain tensioner can start rattling from 80,000–100,000 km (400–800 EUR). Throttle body fouls with short trips — idle fluctuation and surging, cleaning helps (50–150 EUR). Ignition coils/ignition module occasionally fail (engine runs on two cylinders, vibrations, 100–250 EUR). Timing chain cover can develop leaks — oil drops at the front of the engine (200–500 EUR). Thermostat housing leaks with coolant loss (150–350 EUR). With proper maintenance (10,000 km oil change intervals observed), the B10XE runs trouble-free past 150,000 km.

Weak points: The handbrake does not hold reliably — cable requires regular adjustment, documented cases of vehicles rolling away on slopes. Headlights mist up internally after rain or temperature changes — a cosmetic defect, but MOT-relevant if light pattern is affected. Air conditioning: high-pressure line chafes through at its mounting point due to vibration, refrigerant escapes, complete replacement needed (400–800 EUR). Suspension is comfort-oriented — top mounts and drop links wear from 60,000 km (100–300 EUR), front wishbone bushes knock over bumps. Interior is solid hard plastic — clips break, trim panels rattle, steering wheel leather peels on early models. The 5-speed manual gearbox is reassuringly robust and trouble-free.

Test drive checklist: Cold start (chain rattle for more than 3 seconds?), observe idle (revs fluctuating? throttle body!), test handbrake on a slope (does the car hold?), switch on air conditioning (does it get cold? refrigerant present?), check headlights for misting, test suspension over bumps (knocking at the front?).

Buying advice: With the Karl, there is no engine choice — it is always the B10XE with 5-speed manual. No Easytronic, no automatic — that makes the buying decision simple. Prefer model years 2017–2019 — teething issues (headlight misting, early ignition coil failures) were largely resolved by then. A service book with 10,000 km oil changes matters more than low mileage. Anyone looking for an honest commuter car without turbo stress, without DPF worries and without gearbox lottery is well served by the Karl. Not a car that excites — but one that works and costs little.