The third-generation Toyota Yaris (codename XP130, sold as Vitz in Japan) is a versatile city car that made its mark on the segment with the widespread introduction of hybrid technology. Produced in France (Valenciennes) for the European market, it benefited from two major facelifts (2014 and 2017) which significantly improved perceived quality, sound insulation, and road handling. Although the hybrid version (HSD) dominated sales, the Yaris III was offered with a diesel engine (1.4 D-4D) until 2017. This engine, while intrinsically very robust, presents a paradox: it powers a car intended for urban use with technology (DPF, EGR) that only tolerates long journeys. The Yaris III remains one of the most reliable city cars of its generation, across all engine types.
The Toyota Yaris III is a highly recommendable purchase, often cited as the benchmark for reliability in its category. Regarding the 1.4 D-4D diesel specifically: it's an excellent engine, robust and very economical, but it's a victim of its era. Buying a diesel city car today only makes sense if you use it like a road car (more than 15,000 km/year, regular extra-urban journeys). If you drive in the city, avoid the D-4D at the risk of expensive bills (DPF, EGR) and absolutely opt for petrol (1.0 or 1.33/1.5) or, even better, the unparalleled Hybrid version, which represents the absolute best choice for this model.