Buying a used Toyota Yaris (2012-2020)

Australia saw its first Toyota Yaris light car in 2005. These were not the first examples of the model ever made but from the second-generation NCP90-series cars and a step up from the Toyota Echo they replaced in our market.

The Yaris remained very much an economy car, with a compact (some say cramped) cabin and less performance than pretty much anything of similar size.

The starting price was $14,990 plus on-road costs for a manual three-door hatch, opening up a 12-step model range spanning three- and five-door body styles (and eventually four-door sedan) with 1.3-litre or 1.5-litre engines.

A late-2008 upgrade added $100 to the price of Australian-market cars while minimally altering equipment levels. A second amendment to the Yaris mix appeared in 2010, accompanied by a price decrease.

Late in 2011 came the launch of a third-generation (NCP131R) version of the Yaris, accompanied by Toyota Australia’s claim to have “breathed new life into Yaris”. Entry-level pricing remained at $14,990 plus ORCs for the three-door hatch with five-speed manual, but the new car was better equipped than the old one.

In fact, every model in the new Yaris range was tightly priced and well equipped. The majority of cars sold would be hatchbacks, but for the fleets and personal buyers with more conservative needs there was a 1.5-litre sedan.

An extended wheelbase helped satisfy complaints regarding tight rear legroom in previous models, while a dash redesign put instruments into a more logical arrangement.

Late in 2015, a new and aggressively shaped nose was introduced, accompanied by interior improvements but no more power. Entry-level 1.3-litre models remained at 63kW, with 1.5-litre cars at 80kW.

Model designations changed though, with YR ditched in favour of Ascent and a new SX slotting in below the ZR and YRS.

There was further tweaking of the car’s appearance in 2017, with an even larger air intake and new headlights and bumpers. A revised 1.5-litre engine with more power was available to offshore markets, however Australia kept its long-serving 1.5 and 1.3 until the arrival of the fourth-generation Yaris in 2020, which brought a new three-cylinder petrol engine and a hybrid powertrain for the first time.

• Ensure servicing is up to date and oil shows no signs of sludge.
• Engine noise/vibration caused by engine mounts and exhaust components wearing.
• A smell of fuel, stronger when the bonnet is open, can signify injector seal failure.
• Piston ring wear causing higher oil consumption.
• Electric power steering system issues causing periodic loss of steering power assist.
• Look at upper body surfaces for clear coat that is starting to bubble.
• Suspension noise – rattles and clunks due to worn bushes.
• Loose interior trim such as dashboard panels and door handles.
• Premature brake wear – pads and rotors.

Australia welcomed a new Toyota Yaris in October 2011, with all cars designated as MY12 models.

The range comprised 1.3-litre YR and 1.5-litre YRS hatchbacks plus a 1.5-litre YRS sedan. For those into alloy wheels and two-tone trim there was also a manual-only ZR.

The three-door manual YR featured an entry-level price of $14,990 plus on-road costs, but better value was found in the versatile five-door hatch starting at just $15,690.

Equipment included air-conditioning, electric power steering, power windows and mirrors, a CD sound system with Bluetooth phone connectivity and a display screen.

Cruise control was a $650 option on basic models and automatic transmission added $1650.

Safety was pivotal to success in a crowded market, hence the Yaris boosted its appeal to fleet managers with a raft of features.

Every Yaris came with seven airbags, including redesigned side airbags to protect lower limbs. Electric stability control and traction control, ABS braking and emergency brake assist were also standard and helped the 131-series Yaris achieve Toyota’s aim of a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Yaris sedans began at $18,990 plus ORCs, with the 80kW 1.5-litre engine standard. Five-door hatchbacks were $1000 cheaper and, judging by relative numbers in the used car market, a lot more appealing.

Spending extra on a YRS-spec car delivered not only the more powerful engine but cruise control as standard, an uprated stereo, an expanded screen with colour display, four power windows and a multifunction steering wheel.

Added to the mix when choosing the top-spec YRX were uprated trim, dusk-sensing headlights, sat-nav with hazard warnings, climate-control air-con and a split display screen with 3D graphics. Pricing began at $21,390 plus ORCs.

The ‘sporty’ ZR started life as a basic three-door with the 1.5-litre engine and mandatory manual transmission. In keeping with its persona as the ‘youthful Yaris’, this version featured the obligatory body kit and roof spoiler, fog lights and an exhaust diffuser.

Those prices remained valid until late 2015 when the restyled version arrived. Some increased, others saw a reduction and portions of the range were renamed.

The newly-arrived Ascent did well in terms of inclusions, with a reversing camera, cruise control, colour dash display and halogen headlights all standard at the new starting price of $15,290 plus ORCs.

Perhaps acknowledging its four-speed automatic as pretty dire when mated to an underpowered 1.3-litre engine, the cost of adding auto to the Ascent dropped to just $1200.

Above the Ascent still sat the more expensive SX and ZR models, however sales after 2016 must have been dismal given the quantities of these versions available in the current used market.

For anyone who revels in the challenge of a twisty road, sharp steering and a willing engine, do not consider owning a Toyota Yaris. Even 80kW versions are reluctant to perform and a 1.3-litre auto must be positively noxious with a full load of passengers aboard.

Around town, with one or two occupants, the Yaris 1.3 will work fine for a lot of people and generate serious savings in commuting costs.

Fuel consumption, if you choose a 1.3 manual, can be pushed below 6L/100km, while the automatic – according to Toyota’s comparative consumption claims – uses just 0.7L/100km more.

Even in real-world testing of a 1.5 auto they don’t perform badly and the fuel budget won’t get belted either. Combined commuter and rural running saw average consumption reach 8.1L/100km, so with a 42L tank and petrol prices becoming more sensible, a week of commuter running should cost less than $50.

Among Toyota’s other claims for its enlarged Yaris was extra legroom in the rear and an improved driving position. The windows are certainly big for a car this size, the steering wheel is adjustable for height and reach and it is possible for most people to not feel cramped in what is inherently a fairly cramped car.

Except for the ZR with its bigger bolsters, Yaris seats look a bit flat and unsupportive, yet in practice they aren’t too bad. The dash is plain and doesn’t tell you much except how fast you’re going and how hot the engine is getting so you need to watch for warning lights and be adept at checking the central display for other data.

Neither engine could be described as a powerhouse and anyone looking for driver engagement in a light car will be better off with a Mazda2 or Volkswagen Polo.

If you live in a rural area or travel frequently on rural roads then do avoid the 1.3, especially in tandem with Toyota’s unresponsive automatic.

Even when mated to the bigger 80kW engine, the Yaris auto with its throttle floored will take 11.5 agonising seconds to accelerate from 80-120km/h – an awfully long and potentially hazardous amount of time to be on the wrong side of a road when overtaking.

For the smallish (in number and also stature) family the Toyota Yaris offers reasonable amounts of space and excellent economy.

Finding a five-door will be essential for family buyers because trying to strap a young one into the back seat while sprawled in the gap behind the front one would, I imagine, be for contortionists only.

The boot with all seats in use will accommodate a reasonable 286 litres of luggage but that comes at the expense of a space-saver, not a full-size spare wheel.

The rear seats do split-fold, which provides space for a child seat on the left and other necessities alongside.

Do be wary with the Yaris – and all small hatchbacks – that whatever you carry in the boot isn’t too weighty. Unless restrained by a cargo barrier, it could fly forwards in a crash and injure whoever is sitting in the back.

• Owners report cracking and perforation of clear coat of paint protection in cars that could be only five years old. If left untreated, this leads to whole sections peeling away, seriously devaluing affected vehicles.
• Listen when turning and accelerating simultaneously for clicking sounds from the front-end, indicating that a constant velocity joint needs replacing.
• Early Yaris hatchbacks and sedans built until MY16 may have used potentially lethal Takata airbag components, so check using the VIN of any vehicles you are considering. If they were affected, ensure that the airbags have been replaced.
• Check service history and nature of repairs carried out during ownership.
• Road test the vehicle to check for abnormal noises, smoke or vibration.
• Check the tyre wear to ensure even.
• Check for noises when braking.
• Check for smoke when the car is cold on start-up.

RedBook Inspect mobile inspectors can take the guesswork out of buying a car with a comprehensive vehicle inspection.

Used vehicle grading for Toyota Yaris (2012-20)
Design & Function: 15/20
Safety: 15/20
Practicality: 13/20
Value for Money: 12/20
Wow Factor: 10/20
Score: 65/100

Also consider: Ford Fiesta, Hyundai i20 , Kia Rio, Mazda2, Suzuki Swift