Toyota Yaris (1999-2005)

Text: Richard Dredge / Photos: John Colley

October 2006

Japanese cars are renowned for their reliability, but the Toyota Yaris has a healthy dose of style to go with its bulletproof image. Decent handling and a novel interior ensure it has won plenty of fans, and the city car is no less appealing second-hand.

A new model has been on sale since January, but the pretty original offers plenty of variety, with petrol or diesel models as well as three or five-door bodystyles. Here’s what to look out for when buying used.

Checklist
PANEL FIT: most examples have flawless panel fit, but some petrol Yaris models built in 2000 and 2001 suffer from uneven shut lines – traditionally, a sign of body repairs. Get a history check to establish whether or not it’s been in an accident, just in case.

CLUTCH: drive the car at low engine revs and listen out for any noises coming from the transmission. Then press the clutch pedal, and if it all starts to get a bit squeaky, the clutch release bearing could be on its way out. l altogether, yet the noise can be disconcerting because the rest of the motor is so quiet.

PAINTWORK: chips in the paint on the leading edge of the bonnet are common, even if the car hasn’t been thrashed up and down the motorway. It’s particularly the case with solid colour Yaris models. Stay on top of this, or rot will easily develop.

COOLANT: it’s essential for the coolant fluid level to be maintained, especially on early diesel engines, which are prone to blown head gaskets. If there’s a white emulsion on the underside of the oil filler cap, it’s a sign of potential damage.

GEARBOX: on the whole, the Yaris is a very refined little car. And although the gearboxes can whine, they do keep going. It’s unlikely that the transmission will fail altogether, yet the noise can be disconcerting because the rest of the motor is quiet.

History
Mar 1999: All-new Yaris replaces Starlet.
Oct 1999: 1.3-litre engine introduced.
Jan 2000: High-roofed Yaris Verso estate joins line-up. Also uses 1.3 engine.
Mar 2001: ABS made standard on all models, and 1.5-litre T Sport introduced.
Feb 2002: 1.4 D-4D diesel arrives.
Mar 2003: Facelift with restyled nose. Old S, GS, GS, GLS and CDX trims replaced by T3, T Spirit and T Sport variants.

Early 1.0-litre models with 80,000 miles on the clock start at £2,000 privately. Add another £500 to move up to a 1.3-litre and the same again for GLS or CDX trim.

Five-door cars are worth around £150 more than three-doors, while the Verso commands an extra £250 over a five-door hatch. Go for a three-door and you’ll pay £5,000 for a three-year-old 35,000-mile 1.0 T Spirit in a private sale, and the same sum for a 50,000- mile 51-plate D-4D CDX hatch from a dealer. Unless you really need an automatic, don’t buy a Freetronic clutchless manual. It can be problematic and costly to put right – you also have to check its fluid levels constantly, which can be a real pain. And don’t be tempted by a diesel if you have to pay a hefty premium for it; the petrol units are frugal, torquey and durable. The Yaris is surprisingly popular with young drivers, so keep an eye out for cars with remapped ECUs, sports exhausts or aftermarket alloys. Make sure the model you’re looking at hasn’t been hammered by someone who has more enthu­siasm than skill behind the wheel.

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