Photo: Renée Kools, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Renée Kools, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Renée Kools, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Simple city car, sold with a 75 hp 1.0 three-cylinder (or a petrol/LPG bi-fuel version), with a modest 190 L boot. Its protection is judged limited: 4 stars at Euro NCAP in 2015, reduced to 3 stars at the 2017 reassessment (safety assist: 25%). Owner reviews are few and mixed; check the electronics and the service record before buying.
- Reliability
- 5.0/5
- Indicative prices
- €6,700 – €8,100
- Monthly cost
- €286
- Euro NCAP
- 3/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 1.0 75.
1.0 75
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 75 hp · 4.5 L/100 km · Crit'Air 1
Naturally aspirated three-cylinder of 999 cm³, 95 Nm, 5-speed manual gearbox. Announced combined consumption: 4.5 L/100 km.
1.0 GPL 72
Petrol · Manual · 72 hp · 5.7 L/100 km · Crit'Air 1
Petrol/LPG bi-fuel (72 hp, then 73 hp on the 2017 spec sheets). Combined consumption of 5.7 L/100 km according to La Centrale. The Confort pack with spare wheel is incompatible with LPG according to Opel's price list.
Market prices
€6,700 – €8,100
Indicative range: 2016 to 2019, yearly medians of 40 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Erratic centre console and electronics
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingKarl owners report random switch-offs or restarts of the centre console (Passion bagnole), and one case at 176,000 km of error messages and audio cut-outs, attributed in a forum reply to a poorly connected control unit (MyCarly). These are anecdotal reports, with no statistics.
- Versions
- 1.0 75, 1.0 GPL 72
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Recall: driveshafts may corrode and break
Manufacturer recallA safety recall (R/2016/090, April 2016) concerns Karl cars whose driveshafts, insufficiently coated, can corrode and break: the car then loses traction, while steering and brakes remain available. The British sources consulted limit the build period to December 2014 to March 2015 (63 vehicles in the UK). Check the serial number with an Opel dealer.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- 1.0 75, 1.0 GPL 72
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Opel Karl”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €111 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €59 |
| Maintenance | €36 |
| Depreciation | €80 |
| Total per month | €286 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€111
1.0 75 version: combined consumption of 4.5 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
4.5 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €111
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
Consumption: technical data for the version (sources at the bottom of the guide).
- Insurance€59
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€36
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€80
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Opel Karl I — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Have an Opel dealer check the serial number to find out whether the driveshaft recall has been dealt with.
- Test the multimedia screen, Bluetooth and radio: unexpected switch-offs or restarts.
- Try the clutch cold and warm; one owner reports a €1,700 bill at 37,000 km, an isolated case on a forum.
- Check that there is no oil leak under the engine and check the oil level (some owners report leaks or oil consumption).
- LPG version: ask for the installation invoice and the latest inspection, and check whether a spare wheel is fitted.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the driveshaft recall been verified at Opel for this serial number?
- Has the clutch or the electronics already been repaired? Do you have the invoices?
- For the LPG version: how long has it been running on LPG, and when was it last inspected?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0
Opel Adam
I · 2013–2019
- Price
- €6,000 – €8,900
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
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Citroën C1
II · 2014–2022
- Price
- €4,900 – €9,000
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Peugeot 108
I · 2014–2021
- Price
- €6,000 – €9,100
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
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Toyota Aygo
II · 2014–2021
- Price
- €7,000 – €10,900
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Renault Twingo
III (2014-2024, facelifted in 2019) · 2014–2024
- Price
- €5,890 – €12,299
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Electric
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Opel Karl I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Opel Karl safe?
It scored 4 stars at Euro NCAP in 2015, then 3 stars at the December 2017 reassessment, with 25% for safety assist. Euro NCAP points out that this does not mean the car protects less in a crash, but that the requirements have increased.
What is the boot capacity of the Opel Karl?
190 litres according to L'argus for the 1.0 75 hp. A Fiches-auto test quotes 190 litres with the spare wheel and 215 litres without; other data sheets give values from 151 to 215 litres depending on the measurement method.
Is the Opel Karl available with LPG?
Yes, in 1.0 petrol/LPG bi-fuel with 72 hp (73 hp on the 2017 spec sheets), according to L'argus and La Centrale.
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