I lost my license a few years ago due to a no seat belt violation which consumed the last of my amateur status 6 French license points. I was forced to rent this fellow for 6 months. It was noisy, slow, didn’t get any better mileage than my VW Passat… and the engine vibration was horrible… could use it to mix paint.
It only had a few km on it when I took delivery and was essentially a new vehicle, but the vibration was shaking bits off regularly. One Monday I had a chiropractic appointment 60 km away. It was a sub 0 cold day and I was about 30 km along when it began slowing and slowing, then the heater went out. The alternator had given up the ghost. Nothing electrical working. I managed to coast into Malaus to find nothing open and I was beginning to fear hypothermia, when I came upon a mini Casino that was open until noon. It was the only game in town. Since the Montauban dealer couldn’t get a dépannage to me until the afternoon I was looking at waiting outside from midi until he arrived. Fortunately the kind lady running the shop gave me a lift back home when she closed up. The dealer replaced this car with another marque that was marginally better.
I spent a lot of time serré a droit in the bike lanes, allowing strings of cars backed up behind me to pass. Very stressful.
If you are just going to putt around town they are acceptable, but for the départemental highway, not so much. They are not allowed on the autoroutes.
I urge you to take the advice that others have given. Visit the dealers and test drive the several marques available before deciding. I think that in the long haul, since your wife has a valid UK license that can be exchanged for a French license at the prefecture without testing, you would be far happier in the Citroen C1 sized real car.
I myself am looking to perchase a vsp due to my disability and yes I have no valid drivers license due to alcohol but that was many years ago. I’ve not had any alcohol for a few years yet I live in the countryside. And find it difficult to do shopping. Yet I do not know enough people to help me. So therefore a vsp would be perfect for me. I love on an invalid pension so money is tight. I’m looking to purchase a cammionette so I can carry some tools to do little jobs and transport bigger items. Yes I know they are slow but it’s better than having to rely on someone else. All I need now is the finance to get this vsp because I am sick of waiting till someone is available to to me shopping. Its not easy trying to make your food last or not eating because you can’t get to a shop without a very long walk, which is not good when you have problems with your legs. Thank you for taking the time to read my point of view. Vsp are not just for alcoholics.
Hello Stuart and welcome to the forum.
I did not know that you could buy/rent vsp cammionettes… 
…
What sort of work are you registered to do ???
If you have serious problems financial or otherwise, you could contact your Assistante Sociale for advice/help.
Hi Stuart,
Try looking on the internet in your area. Here in Burgundy there are plenty of small VSP truck type bombing about some flat back & covered, I’ve even seen one converted as a candyfloss or ice cream van.
My doctor drives one and it looks rather spiffy. But her response time in emergencies is reportedly on the slow side.
As we know from experience… in an emergency one should contact SAMU or, better still, the Pompiers (be still my beating heart) 
Indeed so, Stella, and that’s what everyone should so. I have a spare Pompiers calendar for you if you’re running short.
Our pompiers calendar features burnt out cars and piles of fire hoses…
What I’d like is a Piaggio Ape…quite fancy puttering off to the dechetterie with one of those.
Ours are pretty much the same each year too. 
Howcome they never look like this? 
Firefighters calendar 2020
Our Pompiers are magnificent… they know the way to our house, blindfolded… almost.
I prefer these 
They 're very dirty! 
lol
VSP pour pompiers! 
Your house would be burnt down by the time they arrive. 
I have spoken with the assistant social about this and she is looking into it for me. But unfortunately I these things take time. And has to your question I don’t work and am not allowed to but I do enjoy DIY where I help a few people when needed. Just wish someone would think of helping me when I need shopping for example, noby ever seems to be available for me, so I spend most of my time on my own with only my dog to talk too. Thank you for taking the the time for me. Have a wonderful day.
Hi Stuart… if you help people, surely it can be a tit-for-tat so that someone helps you…
Why not speak with your Mairie who will doubtless have someone who is involved with the elderly/infirm… they might well be able to help you too.
A friend has a piaggio amica it’s quite fun to drive tops 70km but I have test driving some different new ones like a Casalini M20 and Aixam Coupe GTI and a Ligier JS 50L they are great cars but they are not cheap they really feel like a real car
I would seriously consider this one, 100% electric