The second-generation Toyota Yaris (code name XP90) marked a major evolution compared to its predecessor. Designed at Toyota's European design center (ED2), it grew significantly to offer record spaciousness in the city car category, notably thanks to its sliding rear bench seat. Renowned for its legendary reliability, it achieved 5 stars in the Euro NCAP crash test. A facelift occurred in early 2009, bringing slight aesthetic touches (bumpers, lights) and introducing the new 1.33 Dual VVT-i gasoline engine coupled with a 6-speed manual gearbox and a Stop & Start system. It's a true urban 'workhorse', particularly sought after on the used market for its robustness, although the perceived quality of its interior plastics is a step down.
The Toyota Yaris II is one of the safest used car purchases on the market, provided you choose the right version. The verdict is a big YES for gasoline engines with a manual gearbox. The 1.3 VVT-i (87 hp) engine represents the perfect compromise: indestructible, sufficient for leaving the city, and very economical. The 1.0 is a good purely urban choice but requires monitoring its water pump. The D-4D diesel is only for those who drive a lot, otherwise, costly clogging problems may arise. Golden rule: absolutely avoid models equipped with the MMT robotic gearbox, as failures are frequent and repairs are prohibitively expensive compared to the vehicle's value.
| Oil change | £70 – 130 |
| Timing chain | £300 – 750 (si remplacement nécessaire, non systématique) |
| Clutch | £750 – 1 400 |
| Complete brakes | £220 – 480 |
| Estimated annual budget | £500 – 950 |
Indicative estimates (independent garage, UK market). Prices vary by region and year.