Toyota Yaris hatchback (2011-2020) | owner reviews: MPG, Problems & Reliability

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GOOD: It's a good car, ideal for the city and for small trips (but doesn't like the highway). The interior is not bad except it's short on cubby holes, except for a small rack behind the gearbox. The bluetooth works well as the commands on the steering wheels and generally recognizes almost the phones. It's great for manoeuvring into tight parking spaces, thanks a rear-view mounted camera installed in the boot. The brakes are sharp (maybe too much). BAD: The 3-cylinder, 1.0-litre engine struggles on steep hills. A more powerful engine would be useful.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Good A to B car

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Well, I had the 1. 33 and it's superb. The 1.0 I own now gives better fuel economy but is underpowered up hill and on motorways. One person or two in car is OK, but 4 to 5 and you'll be under gearing to 2 or 3 always. Other than that, for town and outside its great. I get like 700km per one 42l tank in the city easy. Driving is nice, and even after 14 years, the car handles and behaves like new. The 3-cylinder is noisier, almost like a quiet diesel brumming along. If you can buy it really really cheap, take it, but forget pleasurable driving on motorways or packed. The 1.33 is the better option and I think they no longer make it. The 1.5 hybrid is the one to go for. Actually, I believe the 3 cyl in the yaris is the same engine as the Aygo used to have.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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First, this is not a long-term reliability review. It is more an impression so far. I have got the Yaris second-hand with 40,000km. Replaced my VERY unreliable 2013 CX-5 2.2-litre diesel (STAY AWAY FROM THIS ENGINE), which has known manufacturing faults worldwide that run in thousands of euros - cannot believe they still make it. I have had the second generation 1.3-litre Yaris, and I'm very impressed with reliability. However, lack of steering feedback, wind noise even at 50mph, not-so-comfortable seats, noisy hard plastic interior made it very unpleasant to drive. As for the third generation, they made up for some - yet kept - many issues. The 1.3-litre engine combined with MT6 is very suitable for long journeys on motorways, unlike the MT5. The fuel consumption is just average (47mpg/5l/100km), could be worse. It's very nippy around town, handles great on corners, roundabouts etc. They have improved the lack of steering wheel feedback of the second generation a little. The seats are also more comfortable. Yet the wind noise, especially on motorways, and the occasional scratchy interior plastics prevail. The bumps on the road are felt, but it is nothing horrible. When you drive the car, you feel safe - not in the sense of safety features, but because of the Toyota brand, which shouts "everything will be fine". Seems all the owners write just positive reviews. I like the design of the interior very much. Nothing bad to say. Drives great, has a good sized trunk and the interior is also roomy and back seats are great for grown-ups. You could fit a child in the middle, or a grown-up for shorter journeys, and they would be relatively OK. When you buy a car as a regular person, you want reliability, good consumption, cheap tax and overall driving comfortability - this you get with the Yaris.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Reliable. Good to drive. Comfortable. Cheap to run.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Since new I have been having problems with severe rear tyre wear on the outside of the tyre. After about 1200 miles dealer replaced the back axle under warranty. I hoped that this would be the end of my problems, but no, the same happened with the replacement axle. I am currently having to replace tyres at around 6to 8000 miles on the rear of the car. I have tried to get some answers from Toyota but they said that the European manufacturer said it was within tolerances. How they can know this is beyond me as they have not even tested the car since the new axle was put in. I am very disappointed with Toyotas attitude, The best that they could come up with was to give me the last set of tyres as a good will gesture. I have been back to the dealer with several other things as well. Rust appeared round my reversing camera and the inner bolts for hatch back door after 18 months, repaired under warranty. The air conditioning lost its gas through a pipe that had rubbed through, repaired under warranty. At present I am awaiting a recall for suspect airbag problem to be sorted under warranty. I'm not at all happy with this car. Bought my last Yaris second hand and had it for 5 years and hardly had to do anything to her. I certainly will think very hard before buying anything from Toyota again.

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No Red thumbs down

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Good - reliable, starts first time in all weather, no rattles or annoying faults like I have had with other new cars. Easy to park, large touch screen with reverse camera and light steering makes it a doddle in tight spaces. Can seat four 6' 4" adults in comfort plus dual level boot (option) makes loading easy. Rubber mats well fitted and easily removed for cleaning. Flat floor in rear (no transmission tunnel in way) leaves room for even big footed passengers. Really comfortable front seats, no back ache after motorway driving for 3-4 hours. Feels like it will last a long time. Sports mode makes for improved handling and very willing acceleration but still not as good as a 2009 Fiesta I had. Fuel consumption is a lot better than my auto fiesta which was enough to make me cry. I am heavy footed as I live near fast roads, but still average 40 mpg. I really like the lever inside cabin that unlocks the fuel cap. No having to fiddle with a key with cold hands. Bad = rubbish headlights, really poor on unlit roads. I drove through the New Forest on a dark night, no moonlight, and had to use front fog lights to see animals in road. Nearly ran over a pig. Single windscreen wiper is a joke, has water jet built into blade which turns it into a water pistol: fires sideways at any pedestrians/cyclists. My disc brakes have turned rusty after just one year. I now have orange showing through the black alloys...not cool. The 16" wheels are too big for British roads, make for a hard ride and the Yaris is still jittery over rough surfaces, something I don't get with my Audi A1. But then I allow my 17 year old learner driver son to drive my Yaris, it has 7 air bags, including full curtain, and the insurance doesn't break the bank. Overall though I love this car despite its quirks and faults. It is family proof, does the urban commute with ease, parks in tiny spaces and is comfy on medium length motorway drives.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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I was a bit disappointed with this car as I thought I was buying Japanese reliability. Instead, I got a French-made Yaris. Rattling dashboard, creaking suspension, constant Regen mode, expensive services, a blown turbo after 30K, clunking gearbox, bouncy uncomfortable journeys, rubbish headlights, and a centre console that goes blank occasionally. The car is still under warranty but Toyota can't seem to fix the problems. Do yourself a favour and buy a Honda or VW.

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No Red thumbs down

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I travel all over Europe, and this car has been very reliable and very economical, I am very fussy on servicing, prevention rather than cure, only problem I have had and still have is the front wipers. They are useless, even from new had to replace the larger front blade in France only one month old. Would I recommend? yes but they do not build this one anymore, and the new model seems very cheap material wise

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Bought the car 11 months ago from Romford Lancaster Toyota for £8,500 with 25,000 miles on the clock, 38,200 miles today. In about few months after buying the car, I didn't realise what a beeping warning sound was for, because it only last few seconds and gone, only the very last time I saw my dashboard showing a flashing "N" (neutral) from "E" (drive) mode when I was driving as it beeped again, the car lost its power when "N" was flashing. The problem is that the "MMT" auto or semi-automatic gear box is so unreliable. I had a Mitsubishi 1.5 DID auto, where they call it AMT transmission, and a Renault Grand Modus 1.5 DCI auto, all using the same cost-cutting mechanical transmission. So now I realise why, at some point of the ownership of my last few cars, they all had the same problem of not engaging in gear every now and then. I'm very surprised that no one have mentioned this in this review column. In my own opinion all these so-called semi-auto gearboxes are still not good nor safe enough to be on production line yet. Toyota dealer is not admitting there is a fault with this, only saying they have only few cases of this problem in the past two months. My final advice is not to touch all these semi-auto cars, and get a proper auto transmission one if you really want to drive an auto. Search "flashing 0" for Mitsubushi + Smart car; "flashing N" for Toyota online to see the problem yourself.

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No Red thumbs down

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Replaced my 2009 Yaris with like for like, though this one is a 3 door. MPG was a bit better on my older model, can't do things in third gear as I did with the 2009 plate. Back seats don't slide and internal storage is very poor compared to the older version. Okay it has Bluetooth and rear camera but now with NO SPARE WHEEL! Looking to change it already after just a few months.

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No Red thumbs down

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The best car I have bought / drove. Lovely to drive, good on fuel, excellent easy gears and great in 6th gear, nice inside and fantastic touch screen radio system and reverse camera. Would highly recommend.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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I drive my 2007 Yaris hatchback every day, it has 141,000 miles on it. Has never had a problem, just routine maintenance. I had cruise control installed as soon as I bought it. I intend to drive it for 300,000 miles. It is so cute. I had chrome strips installed along the door panels.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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It is one of the most reliable cars you'll ever find!!! I am little bit disappointed by the mpg, but if you ommit this it is FABULOUS !!!

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Yes Green thumbs up

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I expected better from toyota, mine is a base editon... Pros: -spacious interior -steering diameter -good acceleration -effective brakes -good stereo system -single arm wiper -two backing up lights Cons: -lack of comfort -stiff manual gearshift -no DRL -old school rear lights (one lamp for breaks and position + they look ugly at night) -noisy on the open road -relatively high mpg -no power folding mirrors -no rpm gauge -no temperature gauge -less responsive steering -engine louder in the inside -less storage areas -plastic in the interior -bad aerodynamics in the open road(when it's windy it keeps slowing down to the third or fourth gear) -and low quality break light lamps that keep burning(changed 3 already) -oil filter is hard to manually replace -no integrated anti-theft alarm system

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No Red thumbs down

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Yes Green thumbs up

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it's never let me down with the mot

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No Red thumbs down

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It's great

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Yes Green thumbs up

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No Red thumbs down

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No repairs, still has the original battery!

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No Red thumbs down

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To date in 9 years, never broken down or needed major work.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Yes Green thumbs up

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No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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Yes Green thumbs up

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No Red thumbs down

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No Red thumbs down

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Yes Green thumbs up

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13 years old, annual service, only had to replace brakes, tyres and exhaust

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Yes Green thumbs up

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No Red thumbs down

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No Red thumbs down

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Yes Green thumbs up

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good

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No Red thumbs down

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no problems at all

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Yes Green thumbs up

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No Red thumbs down

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No Red thumbs down

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Hasn't let me down yet.

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Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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Yes Green thumbs up

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only had a battery replaced in 6 years

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No Red thumbs down

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Yes Green thumbs up

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No Red thumbs down

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No problems as yet

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Yes Green thumbs up

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No Red thumbs down

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It has NEVER let me down

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Yes Green thumbs up

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it is.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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No Red thumbs down

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No Red thumbs down

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HAS BEEN GREAT EXCEPT FOR THE SLIPPING CLUTCH

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Excellent, only had a problem when I left a light on and the battery ran down

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Yes Green thumbs up

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No Red thumbs down

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1. A recall for rear brake pipes carried out while I waited. 2. A warranty repair to cure a misfire near end of warranty on Variable Valve Timing - courtesy car supplied. That's all! - has never broken down.

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No Red thumbs down

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Yes Green thumbs up

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No Red thumbs down

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grate all way around

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No Red thumbs down

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Hasn't let me down (yet)

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Yes Green thumbs up

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excellent

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No Red thumbs down

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never had a problem

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Not let us down but several recalls.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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No faults other than a faulty gear knob which was replaced by the dealer.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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small issues fron new; -windcreen wiper rubber came loose -bonnet stay came off -wiper securing nut cover fell off -starting procedure far too complicated in auto version

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No Red thumbs down

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Touch wood, its unburstable. A little diamond

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No Red thumbs down

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THE CAR HAS PROVED (TO DATE) TO BE TOTALLY RELIABLE

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Burst seat mechanism after 5k miles, front passenger. Poor construction. Everything else OK so far.

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No Red thumbs down

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The most reliable car I've owned in 23 years of driving

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No Red thumbs down

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Yes Green thumbs up

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It always starts first time and mechanically has given me no problems

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No Red thumbs down

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Fine except the semi auto clutch which was replaced at 13K miles under warrenty.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Very impressed by the mpg, despite not going on long journeys. Always starts immediately and easy to handle

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Has never broken down (yet!)

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Always starts in all weathers. Never ever let me down

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Never failed me yet,starts first time.

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No Red thumbs down

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I have not had to do any repairs at all on the vehicle and it has passed all MOTs with no problems.

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No Red thumbs down

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reliable,good starter,good mpg.

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No Red thumbs down

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Excellent - Simply put, nothing has gone wrong

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Yes Green thumbs up

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No problems other than wear and tear.

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No Red thumbs down

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I have had no problems with reliability. ,

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No Red thumbs down

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no major problems

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Yes Green thumbs up

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so far hasnt let me down

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No Red thumbs down

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Yes Green thumbs up

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never had anything wrong in 5 years

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Yes Green thumbs up

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Good

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No Red thumbs down

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Yes Green thumbs up

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WAS MY PARTNERS CAR I DID HAVE ONE AS WELL BOTH GOOD CARS MY DAUGHTER NOW HAS MINE OTHER ONE ALSO 09 REG

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Yes Green thumbs up

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No Red thumbs down

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Yes Green thumbs up

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its a driving school car and works hard all day. and gives no problems.

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Yes Green thumbs up

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always started 1st time. they never managed to fix a gear change problem

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No Red thumbs down

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HAD THE CAR FROM NEW ITS NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE BRILLIANT

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No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Toyota Yaris hatchback (2011-2020): owner reviews

"The Toyota Yaris supermini is a reliable and efficient car, which is more stylish than ever and even comes as a hybrid"

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