Our TOYOTA YARIS used vehicles

The Toyota Yaris burst onto the European car scene in April 1999. Impressively, just one year after release, this reliable and affordable little motor was the first Japanese vehicle to win the 2000 European Car of the Year award. And so, an iconic supermini – mixing quirky and stylish French design with Japanese practicality – was born. Now, 21 years after it first won European Car of the Year, it bagged the prize again. Interested in this award-winning fan-favourite? Check out our advice on buying a used Toyota Yaris. 

Why buy a used Toyota Yaris? 

Toyota are known for their high-quality, consistent and durable vehicles. The Yaris is no different. Famous for safety (the model has always had a five-star rating) and good environmental performance, the Toyota Yaris proves popular with professionals and families and has everything you need in a small used car. 

Size 

Coming in three-door and five-door models, the Yaris and its dinky dimensions make it the perfect all-rounder for town or city driving. Better still, it has plenty of features and kit you’d normally expect from bigger, pricier models.

3,950 mm length 

1,695 mm width 

1,510 mm height 

Running costs 

The Toyota Yaris is cheap to run and comes in a 3 or 5-door hatchback. If you go for a used hybrid petrol model (which are now standard) you’ll get excellent fuel economy with anything from 60-85 mpg. Additionally, they're electric at low speeds, so you won't have to pay congestion or emission charges and there are fewer emissions of CO2. However, it can be more expensive to service than regular petrol models. 

What used Toyota Yaris model should you buy? 

When it comes to the used car market, you’ll likely choose between the Mk3 (2011-2020) or the Mk4 (2020-present). Mk4 are all powered by the Toyota Hybrid System while Mk3 used vehicles have petrol, diesel and hybrid engines. The Yaris hybrid models are non-plug in or self-charging which means they work in EV mode during economical urban driving to save fuel and reduce emissions. 

Boot space 

The boot size of a Yaris is 286 litres which rises to 768 litres if you fold down the rear seats. That’s not bad but some of it’s close supermini rivals are a bit roomier – Ford Fiesta (311 litres) and Renault Clio (391 litres). 

Trim levels 

Icon 
 
Icon is the entry-level Yaris model but it’s far from basic. Well equipped with cruise control, electric heated mirrors to stop them fogging up, a reversing camera, automatic wipers and air con as standard. Most used models will feature a high-tech multimedia system plus Bluetooth connectivity and a USB connection to charge your phone on the road. Newer vehicles to the used car market will also feature pre-collision systems to detect pedestrians and cyclists. 

Design 

Next up is the Design. With just a slightly tweaked (you guessed it) design, it comes with a bigger multimedia screen with LED headlights, daytime running light, fog lights and rear combination lights. You might also find models with tinted Privacy Glass and electric rear windows. 

Excel 

Excel is the top-drawer Yaris model. What makes it stand out is a bigger 9” multimedia system and 17” alloys, as well as smart features like auto-braking and blind-spot monitoring. This intelligent automation is popular with families who want the peace of mind that additional safety measures bring. Plus, like plenty of other vehicles on the market, some used Yaris Excel’s will have folding side mirrors which tuck away once you park and lock the car. 

GR SPORT 

The name gives it away. GR is the sporty Yaris model with chunkier 18” alloy wheels and tweaked suspension. However, there’s more focus on looks than performance. As standard, owners get a racing red accent on the wheels, GAZOO logos inside and flashier seats with stitching. Some used cars may feature add-ons like heated suede seats or Dynamic Grey paint styling. But many of the components which help power the car are the same as non-sport models. Even so, the Yaris GR is popular, fun, and sometimes tricky to get your hands on. So, if you spot an approved used GR with us, give it a whirl. 

Engine types: 

Mk3 

Petrol  

• 1.0 L 
• 1.3 L  
• 1.5 L 
• 1.8 L 

Diesel 

• 1.4 L 
• 1.8 L 

Hybrid 

• 1.5 L  

Mk4 

Hybrid

• 1.5 L  

What should you look out for in a used Toyota Yaris? 

Yaris are known for being hard-wearing but there are still a few things to check when buying a used model: 

• Airbags. Some airbags have ruptured (2011-2014 and 2015-16) so ask at the retailer to find out more info. 
• Wheels. Check the car for any damage or uneven tyre wear which might imply an issue with the suspension. 
• Clutch. The Yaris has a high biting point so find a safe, quiet spot on the test drive to check how it feels. It should have some resistance and not be soft, spongy or sticking. 
• Servicing. You should ensure that the cars have a thorough service history, even though they are reliable. 

How long will a Toyota Yaris last? 

As the Yaris is famed for reliability, they can last a long time. The average is anything from 200,000 to 300,000 miles or 10 to 20 years. This makes it a perfect used car contender. To check if the milage is good – when you find a used model, take the car’s age in years, and multiply it by 10,000 (the yearly average). Anything below that figure will be healthy mileage. 

Part exchange

At SPOTiCAR, we offer part exchange. So, if you’d like to find out what your Toyota Yaris is worth or another existing car, use our vehicle valuation tool. The tool gives you an instant estimate which is also sent to your email. After that, just book an appointment to meet one of our retailers and they’ll talk you through your options and give you a firm estimate.