Before you buy a used Toyota Yaris (I).
Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.
The essentials.
- 2 documented, sourced faults across its 2 engines.
- That is not much data: if no other faults show up here, it does not mean it has none.
- 1 of them depends on the equipment or the production date: ask what this car has.
- 6 official recalls on record: ask for the chassis number (VIN) and confirm they have been done.
- According to the data we have, the engine with the fewest documented faults is the 1.0 / 1.3 / 1.5 VVT-i (Petrol).
Typical faults by engine
The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.
All versions
Sheets the catalogue links to all 2 of its engines.
- Oil, rust, MMT gearbox and campaigns on the Yaris IKnown weak points
- Period mentioned
- 1998–2006
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.
1.0 / 1.3 / 1.5 VVT-i
Petrol
We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.
1.4 D-4D
Diesel
- Period mentioned
- Approx. 2001–2018
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Which engine has the fewest documented faults?
| Engine | Documented faults | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 / 1.3 / 1.5 VVT-iPetrolFewest documented | 11 with conditions | 6 |
| 1.4 D-4DDiesel | 21 with conditions | 6 |
According to the data we have, the engine with the fewest documented faults is the 1.0 / 1.3 / 1.5 VVT-i (Petrol).
By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: Petrol.
We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.
Official recalls: ask before you pay
A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.
- Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
- Ask an official Toyota dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
- Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Toyota airbag and seat-belt recalls (2003–2024)Airbags and seat belts
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryToyota brake recalls (2000–2025)Brakes
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryToyota steering recalls (2004–2018)Steering
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryToyota wheel, axle and suspension recalls (2004–2026)Suspension and steering
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryToyota engine, transmission and software recalls (2002–2026)Powertrain and engine management
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryToyota electrical, lighting and electronics recalls (2004–2025)Electrical and electronic systems
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryOn the test drive: what to look and listen for
Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.
0 of 2 checked
Injection / turbo
Look out for: Hard starting, rough idle, smoke and loss of power; noise or vibration from the flywheel when starting and releasing the clutch; oil consumption.
Ask them to check: Read the codes, run an injector back-leak test and check the EGR. Listen to the flywheel at idle with the clutch released. Measure oil consumption.
Known weak points
Look out for: Oil leaking from the crankshaft seal and oil consumption on the small petrol engines; rust on rear arches, sills, tailgate and exhaust; leaking tail lights; wheel bearings, alternator, brakes and bushes; heavy clutch wear with the MMT automated gearbox.
Ask them to check: Check by VIN that the campaigns were done; check rust, leaks and MMT clutch wear.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.
- Injectors, dual-mass flywheel and oil consumption on the 1.4 D-4D (1ND-TV)
- Oil, rust, MMT gearbox and campaigns on the Yaris I
- Toyota airbag and seat-belt recalls (2003–2024)
- Toyota brake recalls (2000–2025)
- Toyota steering recalls (2004–2018)
- Toyota wheel, axle and suspension recalls (2004–2026)
- Toyota engine, transmission and software recalls (2002–2026)
- Toyota electrical, lighting and electronics recalls (2004–2025)
More Toyota buying guides
- Toyota Yaris Verso2000–2005
- Toyota RAV4 (II)2000–2005
- Toyota Previa (II)2000–2006
- Toyota Celica (VII)2000–2006
- Toyota Corolla (IX)2000–2007
- Toyota Avensis (I)2000–2003
- Toyota MR2 (III)2000–2007
- Toyota Corolla Verso2001–2009