Used Toyota Yaris Hatchback 2003 - 2005 review
Quality at a low price; rivals better it for comfort
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What's the used Toyota Yaris like?
Ownership cost
Our recommendations
Reliability
Stuart Milne
Updated: 1 January 2006
How we test cars
What's the used Toyota Yaris like?
The Toyota Yaris made the competition look outdated when it was launched. Its perky styling was fresh and the interior offered the sort of space many associated with cars from a class above.
The front seats offer superb comfort, too, and the only problem is that getting in and out of the rear seat of a three-door model can be tricky.
Overview
Quality at a low price; rivals better it for comfort
Pros
- Cheap to run
- practical
- drives well
Cons
- Firm ride
- three-door's rear seat access is tricky
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Toyota Yaris
1.0 VVT-i T3 5dr
£750
Toyota Yaris
1.0 VVT-i T2 3dr
£990
Toyota Yaris
1.0 VVT-i Colour Collection 3dr
£990
Toyota Yaris
1.3 VVT-i T Spirit 3dr
£990
Toyota Yaris
1.0 VVT-i T3 3dr
£995
Toyota Yaris
1.0 VVT-i 16v GS 3dr
£995
Toyota Yaris
1.0 VVT-i T3 3dr
£995
Toyota Yaris
1.3 VVT-i TR 5dr
£995
Toyota Yaris
1.0 VVT-i T3 3dr
£995
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The dash also sets the Yaris apart from the herd. The instruments are housed in a Ôfloating' binnacle in the centre of the dash with a digital display, and some people may find this hard to get used to.
They may also find it hard to cope with the firm ride - the price you pay for the sharp handling - and how hard you need to work the 1.0- and 1.3-litre petrol engines to keep pace with traffic. Alternatively, you could go for the T-Sport's 105bhp 1.5-litre engine, which turns the Yaris into a junior hot hatch, or the quiet and frugal 1.4 turbodiesel.
Tips & Advice
Make sure you’re insured for the test drive
Short-term car insurance – also called test-drive insurance – will ensure you’re legal when you’re shopping for your next car
Ownership cost
How much does cost to run a Toyota Yaris?
You can run a Yaris on a tight budget without having to skimp on proper servicing. Toyota dealers provide good service, but independent specialists can offer cheaper labour rates.
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On top of that, Toyota reduced the cost of its spare parts in 2002, so keeping a Yaris in the best of health need not be expensive. Service intervals of 20,000 miles also mean you won't necessarily have to see a garage for long periods.
Unless you choose the 1.5-litre engine in the T Sport model, insurance will be cheap, while low-emission engines also mean the Yaris sits at the lower end of the road tax scale.
Last, but not least, whichever engine you choose, fuel economy will be excellent. The 1.4 turbodiesel can return up to a claimed 67mpg, which is superb. The 1.0-litre petrol is good for 50mpg, the 1.3 returns 47mpg and even the T-Sport can manage 41mpg.
Tips & Advice
Organise your motoring life
Whether you need to keep tabs on your insurance renewal, sort breakdown cover, or book a service, My What Car? has you covered
Can I buy a car with cash?
Paying cash isn’t always an easy way to a new car – and you may not be able to get the big discounts you might expect
Our recommendations
Which used Toyota Yaris should I buy?
Unless you spend your whole driving life in town or are determined to make every gallon go as far as possible, we'd recommend opting for the 1.3-litre petrol engine for its greater flexibility. We'd also choose the five-door body, as access to the rear seats in it is much better.
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The basic S spec doesn't get power steering or twin front airbags, so is best avoided. GS, the trim we recommend, has the power steering and airbags, as well as a better stereo, while the GLS has a sunroof and the CDX has air-con. There's also the sporty SR with alloy wheels.
In early 2002, the trim levels were simplified in line with Toyota's other models, so T2 replaced GS, T3 arrived in place of GLS and T-Spirit took over from CDX, although there were no changes to equipment.
Tips & Advice
Avoid ULEZ and clean-air zone fines
If you regularly drive into a clean air zone, you’ll want to ensure your next car is compliant to avoid costly fines
Toyota Yaris owner reviews
Sort by: Most Recent Star rating
Les
Toyota Yaris petrol
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing
Dislikes: Running costs
May 4, 2026 9:07 PM
Absolutely love it! In seventeen years the only non expected cost was a new exhaust and a new battery! It has been used as a van and a standard car. It is a workhorse.
How reliable is the Toyota GR Yaris ?
Toyota GR Yaris
Read reliability
Used cars available now
In partnership with
Toyota Yaris
1.0 VVT-i T3 5dr
£750
Toyota Yaris
1.0 VVT-i T2 3dr
£990
Toyota Yaris
1.0 VVT-i Colour Collection 3dr
£990
Toyota Yaris
1.3 VVT-i T Spirit 3dr
£990
Toyota Yaris
1.0 VVT-i T3 3dr
£995
Toyota Yaris
1.0 VVT-i 16v GS 3dr
£995
Toyota Yaris
1.0 VVT-i T3 3dr
£995
Toyota Yaris
1.3 VVT-i TR 5dr
£995
Toyota Yaris
1.0 VVT-i T3 3dr
£995
See all available cars
About the writer
Name: Stuart Milne
Title: Digital editor
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Stuart has been a motoring journalist for more than 25 years, writing and editing for a wide range of consumer titles. Today, Stuart is responsible for the smooth running of whatcar.com and all of its related social and digital channels. And he’s the man responsible for making sure you're able to find What Car?’s industry-leading content whenever you search for it.
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