Faults:

A new gearbox bearing required at a cost of £600. Not exactly the Toyota reliability I was expecting, I do not consider 81,000 miles high enough mileage for a gearbox failure.

General Comments:

Handling not that great on corners. The cabin plastics feel cheap.

Good otherwise, until the gearbox issues I think I would have bought another. Now I am not so sure.

Faults:

Four new tyres.

New brakes.

General Comments:

Very good road holding.

Comfortable.

Incredibly spacious inside, yet can park in the smallest of spaces.

Good looking car (mine is a three door model)

Light and nippy.

Reliable.

I have owned this car for two years and drive in both town and motorway, extensively. I don't particularly look after my cars well, yet this one just seems to go on and on.

The only negative comment I have is the turning circle, which isn't particularly good, however, I would expect this as it has a sporty suspension.

The four tyres, which were replaced, cost a mere £180, fitted!

Faults:

Air conditioning pump replaced twice.

Alternator replaced twice.

General Comments:

This is the third Yaris I've owned and the first diesel. My other two were 1.0 petrol engines and were faultless. As a driving instructor I need reliability, but I've been slightly disappointed with the alternator and air con pump each having to be replaced twice. Toyota have agreed to extend the warranty on the alternator, but curiously not the air con pump. This set me on the search for another manufacturer, but I have to say that nothing compares with Toyota in the mass market for build quality and overall reliability so in a few weeks I'm taking delivery of a new Yaris T3 diesel. I have been assured by the main dealer that they've had no problems with the air con pump or alternator on the latest 1.4 diesel engines.

After test driving the new Yaris I'm looking forward to working with it for at least a couple of years.