<p dir="ltr">If driver enjoyment is a priority, small cars don’t come any better than the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/used-review/n952"> Ford Fiesta</a> – which, although not quite as spacious in the back as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/toyota">Toyota</a> Yaris, is still a practical proposition.</p>

<p dir="ltr">For an alternative small car from Japan, the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/2/hatchback/used-review/n826"> Mazda 2</a> is worth a look. Like the Fiesta, it isn't&nbsp;as big on the inside as the Yaris, but it's great to drive and more frugal than the Fiesta in day-to-day motoring.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Other small cars worth considering include the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/rio/hatchback/used-review/n17562"> Kia Rio</a> for its seven-year warranty, the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/corsa/hatchback/used-review/n799"> Vauxhall Corsa</a> for its low purchase price and the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/used-review/n17425"> Volkswagen Polo</a> for its classy image and grown-up driving experience.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here</a></strong></p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>If you're interested in finding a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/toyota/yaris?nearlynew=true&amp;used=true&amp;yearTo=2020&amp;yearFrom=2012">used Yaris</a>, or any of the other <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/category/small">small&nbsp;cars</a>&nbsp;mentioned here, head over to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a>&nbsp;pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.</strong></p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Page 5 of 5</strong></p>


What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

Our recommendations

Alternatives

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Wheel hub might become loose </strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">One or more of the rear hub retaining bolts may have not been tightened to the correct specification at the factory on examples made between 8 September 2014 and 9 January 2015. Affected vehicles should have had the bolts checked for tightness as part of the recall, so contact your dealer to make sure this has been done.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Brake fluid might leak</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">Some front right-hand brake calipers weren’t manufactured correctly and it’s possible that brake fluid might leak out. If a leak occurs, the brake warning light should illuminate to warn you. Affected vehicles produced between 10 April 2014 and 15 April 2014 should have had the front right-hand brake caliper replaced.</p>

<p dir="ltr">On&nbsp;cars made between 2 April 2013 and 23 May 2013, there’s also a possibility that a brake fluid leak could develop from one of the brake pipe unions of either of the rear brake calipers or rear brake cylinders. A warning light should illuminate in the instrument panel to tell you about it, because a loss of fluid will impact the braking efficiency of the vehicle and increase its stopping distance.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Directional control could be compromised </strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">On some Yarises&nbsp;built between 13 January 2015 and 27 February 2015, there’s a possibility that a strut top mounting bearing in the front suspension could be damaged when the vehicle is driven over a large bump. You might hear an abnormal noise when driving on uneven roads or when turning the steering wheel. Over time, the mount could fail, causing a loss of vehicle stability. Improved bearings should be installed as part of the recall.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Driver’s airbag might rupture</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">This applies to some vehicles constructed between 24 August 2011 and 30 December 2014, as well as&nbsp;between&nbsp;5 January 2015 and 14 September 2016. There the potential for moisture to get into the assembly,&nbsp;causing&nbsp;the airbag to rupture during deployment, putting occupants at an increased risk of injury. Any vehicle that this recall affects should have had the airbag replaced.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>A short circuit could cause the power steering to fail</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">A short circuit relay in the electric power steering control module can cause the loss of power assistance to the steering of examples made between 20 July 2011 and 21 March 2012. Any car affected by this recall will need to have the power control module in the power steering system replaced.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Rear seatbelt could&nbsp;fail</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">It’s possible for part of the webbing of the rear seatbelts on cars built between 30 August 2011 and 26 January 2016 to be cut by a sharp edge on the seatbelt anchor plate that attaches the belt securely to the floor. If this happens during a collision, rear seat occupants might not be correctly restrained and are therefore put at an increased risk of injury. Recalled cars should have been checked by a Toyota dealer and the seatbelt assembly replaced where necessary.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Hybrid system</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">A fault in the hybrid system of some examples manufactured from 6 February 2018 to 2 April 2019 could cause it to stop working. If your car is affected, it'll need to be inspected at a dealership and potentially have the DC converter replaced.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Front seat wiring harness</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">The wiring harness to the front seats of Yaris' made between 30 June 2014 and 17 February 2017 could be damaged and prevent the side and curtain airbags from deploying as intended in a collision. Speak to your local dealer to find out if your car is affected by this because the harness will&nbsp;need to be inspected and potentially replaced.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Fuel leak</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">The seals around the fuel injectors for the engine could fail on cars built between 18 July 2017 and 12 April 2018 and allow fuel to leak out. Any car affected by this will need to have the seals and bolts holding the injectors in replaced by a technician at a Toyota dealer.</p>


<p dir="ltr">You’d hope that buying a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/toyota">Toyota</a> over another brand comes with the reassurance of a solid reliability record – and the Yaris doesn’t disappoint. In hybrid form, it scored&nbsp;well in the most recent <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2021-what-car-reliability-survey-hybrid-cars/n23408">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>, managing a respectable eighth&nbsp;place finish out of 14 cars in the hybrid category. Toyota itself was fifth out of 31 car brands – an exceptional result.</p>

<p dir="ltr">All third-generation models were sold as new with a five-year warranty, so it’s worth seeing if this is still valid.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>If you would like to see the full reliability list for small cars, head to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2021-what-car-reliability-survey/n23397">What Car? Reliability Survey</a> pages for more information.</strong></p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Page 3 of 5</strong></p>

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>


Hatchback

<p dir="ltr">Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.</p>

<p dir="ltr">That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.</p>

<p dir="ltr">However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.</p>


TOYOTA

YARIS

<p>The third-generation Toyota Yaris is smart, roomy and reliable and even has a hybrid option</p>


Used Toyota Yaris Hatchback 2011 - 2020

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>MPG</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">With an official combined fuel economy figure of 80.7mpg, the Yaris Hybrid will&nbsp;be a cheap car to run. It will cost you more to buy than a conventional petrol model, so you’ll need to factor that in.</p>

<p dir="ltr">While a diesel Yaris isn't as frugal on paper at 72.4mpg, but&nbsp;it’ll still be an inexpensive daily driver. The 1.0-litre petrols have a combined figure of 58.9mpg, but only if you don’t thrash it.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Post-facelift models are also inexpensive to drive, with the latest 1.5 achieving 55.4mpg.&nbsp;</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>CO2 emissions</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">Provided it’s on smaller 15in alloy wheels, the hybrid only emits 79g/km of CO2. The diesel can't quite match that at 104g/km, but it'll still be pretty cheap to tax. Next is the 1.5-litre petrol at 109g/km, with the underpowered 1.0-litre petrol putting out slightly more at&nbsp;111g/km.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Road tax (VED)</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">Most examples will&nbsp;fall under the previous&nbsp;road tax system which depends on the amount of CO2 a car produced to determine what the yearly fee will be. Anything registered after&nbsp;1 April 2017 will be charged a flat-rate fee that'll often cost you more&nbsp;than for an equivalent example&nbsp;registered before that date. The current rate is £155&nbsp;a year. Hybrids will qualify for a small discount, being an 'alternative fuel' vehicle. To find out all the latest information about road tax costs,<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/car-tax-changes-in-2021-what-do-i-need-to-know/n1153"> read our guide here</a>.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Servicing</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">Servicing is required once a year, and&nbsp;there’s&nbsp;the option of joining the Toyota 5+ club for free to get 20% off of servicing and MOT costs once your car is more than five years old.</p>

<p><strong>Page 2 of 5</strong></p>


The third-generation Toyota Yaris is smart, roomy and reliable and even has a hybrid option

<p dir="ltr">While you can pick up a third-generation<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/toyota"> Toyota</a> Yaris for £3000, it is likely to have&nbsp;high mileage. Push your budget up to between £4000-£4500&nbsp;and it’s possible to find early petrol models with 40,000-80,000 miles on the clock. This seems a better-value alternative to a diesel model at the same price that has covered more miles.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Facelifted cars from mid-2015&nbsp;start at just over £5500, although it’s worth noting that demand for the entry-level three-door model is low, so it’s better to spend a bit more on a five-door car to protect resale values.</p>

<p dir="ltr">A Yaris Hybrid will cost from just under £7500 for a pre-facelift car or slightly over £8000 for a post-facelift one. A 2017 car with the current 1.5-litre petrol starts at around £8000.&nbsp; Spend between £8000 and £10,000 on good 2018 and 2019 models, and a fraction more on the last of the 2020 cars. The GRMN hot hatch is exceptionally rare on the used market and prices, therefore, reflect that; you’ll need at least £18,000 to get into one.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Check the value of a used Toyota Yaris with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-valuation/">What Car? Valuations</a></strong></p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Find a used Toyota Yaris for sale <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/toyota/yaris?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true">here</a></strong></p>


<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Specification</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">Depending on which year of Yaris you’re looking for, go for either a TR or Icon model, because they come with plenty of kit. There’s little point going for a higher-spec car with an integrated sat-nav, because the touchscreen infotainment system is far from being the best around&nbsp;because it's&nbsp;awkward to use and slow to respond.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Engine</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">The standard 1.3-litre petrol is peppy&nbsp;yet economical enough for you not to have to suffer with the rather slow 1.0-litre engine. There are also more of them available compared with the newer 1.5. A hybrid might be a good call if you commute into central London, because it escapes the ULEZ charge. However, it doesn’t have low enough emissions to avoid the Congestion Charge like it used to.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Our favourite <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/toyota">Toyota</a> Yaris:&nbsp;</strong>1.3 Icon</p>

<p><strong>Page 4 of 5</strong></p>

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>


<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

<p dir="ltr">Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought almost exclusively as first cars or by people with no children – but the likes of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiesta</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a> have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Fiesta remains a star of the class, thanks to its strong Ecoboost petrol engines and suspension settings that are beautifully judged for British roads. However, the latest Volkswagen offers even more practicality, decent performance and a classy interior that has the edge on the Ford’s for quality.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Any of these models will be a competent commuter car – especially if fitted with one of the increasingly popular small turbocharged petrol engines – but just remember that while you’ll be able to carry two adults and two children, it might still be a struggle to get all of their luggage into the boot.</p>

Small

<p dir="ltr">Being so easy to drive and cheap to run means the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/toyota"> Toyota</a> Yaris makes a great first car as well as a good urban runabout. As a result, it’s important to check for damage to body panels and alloy wheels. Check for signs of a worn clutch, such as a very high biting point. In addition, Toyota’s almost bulletproof reliability record could tempt some owners to skimp on servicing, so aim for a car with a fully stamped service book.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Unlike&nbsp;rivals such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/used-review/n808">Skoda Fabia</a>, the infotainment system fitted to the Yaris doesn’t allow you to connect your smartphone to it using <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a>.</p>


<p dir="ltr">You might not think it much of a trendsetter, but the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/yaris/hatchback/review/n31">Toyota Yaris</a>&nbsp;broke the mould for <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/category/small">small cars</a>&nbsp;when it was launched in 1999,&nbsp;with daring design details such as a digital speedometer housed in a pod in the centre of the dash.</p>

<p dir="ltr">While it’s true to say the Yaris has become more conventional over the years, as reviewed here in third-generation guise it still represents solid value for money, particularly for those who rate reliability over driving dynamics. Indeed this version was immensely popular and ran all the way from 2011 until it was replaced by <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/yaris/hatchback/review/n31">an all-new version</a> of the car in 2020, so there are plenty on <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">the used market</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Yaris stands out from some of its older rivals because of the availability of a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/hybrid">petrol-electric hybrid version</a>, which loses out on some boot space but promises green credentials. Among rivals, the mild-hybrid <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/swift/hatchback/used-review/n959">Suzuki Swift</a>&nbsp;isn't quite as economical as the Yaris because it cannot be powered by the electric motor only. And unlike its other key rival,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/honda/jazz/first-drives/honda-jazz-hybrid">the third-generation Honda Jazz Hybrid</a>, the Yaris can run on electricity alone for short periods. With battery and engine working in unison, a 0-62mph time of 11.8sec is possible, albeit with a great deal of noise thanks to the CVT gearbox.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Petrol engines in 1.0-litre and 1.3-litre capacities, plus a 1.4-litre diesel, have made&nbsp;up the rest of the range. We like the livelier 1.3-litre unit paired with the easy-shifting five-speed manual gearbox (Toyota’s Multidrive S<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/which-type-of-automatic-gearbox-should-i-buy/n17022"> CVT automatic</a> is fine around town but provokes a lot of engine noise under hard acceleration). From 2017, a 1.5 petrol replaced the 1.3; it&nbsp;should be slightly more fuel efficient and cleaner. It’s noticeably faster than the 1.0&nbsp;and is, therefore, better for those who regularly tackle longer journeys.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Initially, the Yaris was available in T2, TR, SR and top-spec T Spirit trims. Entry-level T2 models lacked air conditioning, so it’s worth upgrading to TR for additional features such as electrically controlled door mirrors, a reversing camera and a touchscreen system. Higher up in the range, other trims included sat-nav, a panoramic glass roof and dual-zone climate control.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The range was revised in early 2014 to entry-level Active, mid-range Icon and the short-lived Icon Plus and Trend models. That’s because the latter two made way for Sport and Excel trims later in that year. A more affordable Active version of the hybrid was introduced in 2015; this&nbsp;included some desirable extras, such as climate control, normally reserved for higher-spec models.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Further alterations came in 2017 with Bi-Tone models being offered. They feature two colours on the outside, with a similar two-tone treatment given to the dashboard and door cards. In 2018, a hotter GRMN Yaris was added to the range with revised suspension and a 212bhp 1.8-litre engine. It’s a real giggle to drive&nbsp;but is too raucous and one-dimensional in its character against more sophisticated rivals.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The light steering is good for town driving, but&nbsp;it doesn’t inspire as much confidence on the open road as the more informative steering you get in rivals such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/used-review/n952">Ford Fiesta</a>,<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/used-review/n17425"> Volkswagen Polo</a> and<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/2/hatchback/used-review/n826"> Mazda 2</a>. Similarly, ride comfort lags behind the Fiesta's; although the Yaris is far from unbearable, you&nbsp;feel more thumps and bumps through the suspension. There’s a bit of wind noise at motorway speeds, too.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Yaris is one of the roomier cars in its class, with plenty of interior space for those in the back, helped by a completely flat floor. There’s lots of head room up front, although the dashboard design is a little basic.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Boot space matches the Fiesta's but falls short of that in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/used-review/n808">Skoda Fabia</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/jazz/hatchback/used-review/n17408">Honda Jazz</a>. Furthermore, you have to make do with a large step in the floor of the boot when the rear seats are folded down.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>If you're interested in finding a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/toyota/yaris?nearlynew=true&amp;used=true&amp;yearTo=2020&amp;yearFrom=2012">used Yaris</a>, or any of the other <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/category/small">small&nbsp;cars</a>&nbsp;mentioned here, head over to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a>&nbsp;pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.</strong></p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Page 1 of 5</strong></p>


Used Toyota Yaris Hatchback 2011 - 2020 review

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If driver enjoyment is a priority, small cars don’t come any better than the Ford Fiesta – which, although not quite as spacious in the back as the Toyota Yaris, is still a practical proposition.,For an alternative small car from Japan, the Mazda 2 is worth a look. Like the Fiesta, it isn't as big on the inside as the Yaris, but it's great to drive and more frugal than the Fiesta in day-to-day motoring.,Other small cars worth considering include the Kia Rio for its seven-year warranty, the Vauxhall Corsa for its low purchase price and the Volkswagen Polo for its classy image and grown-up driving experience.For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter hereIf you're interested in finding a used Yaris, or any of the other small cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.Page 5 of 5

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Used Toyota Yaris Hatchback 2011 - 2020 review

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