Used Toyota Yaris 2020-present reliability review
The Toyota Yaris is economical, punchy around town and good to drive, making it an appealing used buy.
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What's the used Toyota Yaris like?
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Reliability
George Hill
Updated: 24 October 2025
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What should I look for in a used Toyota Yaris?
When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.
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It's likely that the Yaris will have spent most of its time around urban areas, such as high streets, multi-story car parks and supermarkets, so check for dings in the bodywork caused by minor bumps. It’s also worth looking at the wheels for kerb damage; not only does this look scruffy, but kerb impacts can force the steering out of alignment and can indicate that the suspension has been subjected to heavy impacts.
What are the most common problems with a used Toyota Yaris?
The emergency calling system (eCall) may not function when required. Number of recalled vehicles: 26,575. Years applicable: 2020, 2021.
There is a possibility that the centre rear seat belt may be damaged a sharp edge of the bracket. Number of recalled vehicles: 4015. Year applicable: 2020.
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It may not be possible to switch headlights from high beam to low beam, or vice versa. Number of recalled vehicles: 106. Year applicable: 2020.
The initialisation of the radar sensor may not have been completed correctly. Number of recalled vehicles: 42,544. Years applicable: 2020, 2021, 2022.
There is a possibility that the DCM (Data Communication Module) may not complete the shutdown process within a specific period of time when the ignition is turned off. This will cause the DCM to not restart at the next ignition cycle and make the eCall function unavailable. Number of recalled vehicles: 27,327. Year applicable: 2021.
Click here for more information. Contact your local Toyota dealer if you believe your vehicle is involved in a recall.
Is a used Toyota Yaris reliable?
The Toyota Yaris is a reliable car. In our latest 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey, it ranked 20th of 28 in the small car class. It has a strong reliability score of 92.5%, which makes it more reliable than the Ford Fiesta and only slightly less reliable than the Suzuki Swift and Honda Jazz.
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Issues with the 12-volt battery were the biggest headache for Yaris Hybrid owners, who told us 20% of their cars went wrong, 15% of them with battery problems. Although many cars were rendered undriveable by these problems, 60% of faulty cars were fixed in a day or less. While Toyota covered the cost of 69% of remedial work, that left many owners with bills of up to £200.
As a car brand, Toyota finished in fourth place out of 30 manufacturers with a score of 92.5%. That's better than Renault, Skoda and Ford, but less than Honda and Suzuki.
Used Toyota Yaris: owners' reliability data
As part of our annual Reliability Survey, What Car? readers shared mixed experiences with the reliability of the 2020-present Toyota Yaris hybrid.
While some reported dependable performance, a number of owners highlighted issues with the hybrid system, particularly with warning lights that required dealership visits. A few mentioned repeated faults with the battery, which impacted their confidence in the vehicle’s reliability.
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Dealership service received varied feedback. Some readers praised Toyota’s staff for their helpfulness and quick turnaround in resolving issues. However, others described the repair process as lengthy, especially in cases where parts needed ordering, which sometimes led to extended wait times. Cost of repairs was occasionally noted as higher than expected, with one or two owners feeling that certain faults should have been resolved under warranty.
In summary, while many Yaris Hybrid owners were satisfied, some experienced reliability hiccups and variable support from Toyota’s dealer network.
Tips & Advice
Check for outstanding recalls
Many cars are recalled so that faults can be put right. Recall work shouldn’t cost you a penny, and they’ll make your car safer or more mechanically robust. Checking if your car has been recalled is easy
Choose the right breakdown cover
You may already have a breakdown policy through your home insurance or new-car warranty so check to avoid paying twice
Make sure you have warranty cover
New cars usually have warranties that last between three and seven years that can help cover the cost of mechanical faults. But this protection can last longer with an extended warranty
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About the writer
Name: George Hill
Title: Used car writer
Follow George Hill on
George Hill first joined the What Car? team as a staff writer in 2021, before becoming a used car writer in 2024 and a reviewer in 2026. In his current role he writes new car reviews for What Car? magazine and whatcar.com.
If you follow What Car? on social media, you might see him presenting the odd video on new cars too.
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