UK motorists hunting for a dependable used car find the Toyota Yaris leading the pack. This supermini stands out for its exceptional reliability, with thousands of owners noting zero faults in a typical year.
Expert Praise for Durability
William Fletcher, car expert and CEO of car.co.uk, recommends the Toyota Yaris as the top choice. He emphasizes its proven engineering, low repair costs, and placement in modest insurance groups. Fletcher notes: “The humble Toyota Yaris, the 58th most popular car model in the UK, is one of the most reliable cars on British roads, with thousands of owners reporting zero faults in a given year. Backed by Toyota’s reputation for durability, the Yaris benefits from simple, well-proven engineering and is highly dependable. Repair costs are typically low, it sits in modest insurance groups, and Toyota’s warranty can extend up to 10 years when serviced within the network – making it one of the safest bets for hassle-free, affordable motoring.”
Professional mechanic David Long, known as the Car Wizard on YouTube, also endorses the Yaris, especially for new drivers. He highlights its fuel efficiency and value: “These easily get good miles per gallon in the city and on the highway, but the key thing is that good economy in the city. If your kid is going to college three miles from home, they’re probably not going to be on the highway much and they’ll still get good fuel economy. These are very cute cars, I see them a lot and think that it’s a really neat-looking car and it’s reliable. You can get these for about $4,000 to $5,000 (£3,050 to £3,815), and those ones will be in really good shape. Plus they come in manual or automatic, whichever is the preference.”
Affordable Options on the Market
Used Toyota Yaris models start around £1,500 in the UK, with solid third-generation examples ranging from £2,500 to £3,000 based on specs and condition.
Strong Sales and Variants
Data indicates over 715,000 Toyota Yaris vehicles sold in the UK from 1999 to 2022, cementing its status as a favorite small car. Notable variants include the high-performance GR Yaris hot hatch.