Toyota Yaris Common Faults in the UK
XP210, 2020+ — supermini hybrid hatch. Updated 6 October 2026.
This guide covers the XP210, 2020+ only. Older Yaris generations have different engines and faults — for one of those, see how to check any car for known faults.
The XP210 Toyota Yaris Hybrid (2020+) is among the most reliable cars sold in the UK. The hybrid system is solid; minor concerns are early-batch AC compressor failures, the 12V auxiliary battery on cars left unused, and brake squeak (cosmetic, common across all hybrids). The pre-2020 XP130 had rear-beam corrosion in coastal areas — XP210 unaffected. Best-buy: any year. Worst: none.
Largest DVSA recall for the Yaris: R/2022/055, 42,554 vehicles in the whole recall — The initialization of the radar sensor may not have been completed correctly. See the 4 DVSA recalls listed for this model.
94.2% of Toyota Yaris cars registered 2020–2022 pass the MOT on the day (cars fixed during the test included), 4.0 points above all cars registered in those years (90.2%). These are the cars this guide covers that were 3 to 12 years old when DVSA tested them in 2025, counted from 7,849 DVSA tests; a pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure.
Counting every registration year DVSA holds for the Toyota Yaris (2000–2022), which includes generations this guide does not cover, 79.5% pass on the day (cars fixed during the test included), from 49,396 tests.
Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0), a sample of the 2025 file (about one test in ten, from nine months). Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a pass here (passed on the day); DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. Compared against cars of the same registration years, because pass rates otherwise mostly measure how old a model's surviving fleet is.
See it by registration year and by mileage ↓The asking-price figures above are the middle 80% and the median of what sellers were asking on Autoza on 29 October 2026 — not what buyers pay — for Toyota Yaris cars registered from 2020. They are worked out from the cars on sale when this page is generated, and none is shown when fewer than 10 cars qualify. The road tax line comes from GOV.UK's vehicle tax rate tables (2026/27 rates). The fuel economy figures are the manufacturer's official WLTP ranges, and the insurance note is an indicative editorial estimate. We do not publish a UK price index, and no figure here should be quoted as one.
Best and worst years to buy
We name a year as a best or worst buy only where the DVSA MOT table further down does not rate it the other way.
Toyota Yaris reliability is consistently excellent; no standout bad year.
2023 and 2024 cars are too new for the DVSA table below, so there is no MOT record behind them yet.
No standout bad year in XP210. Pre-2020 XP130 had documented rear-beam corrosion in coastal areas — that generation is the one to avoid.
Known faults — Toyota Yaris XP210, 2020+
How to read this list. This model’s DVSA safety recalls are listed in their own section below, largest first, each with DVSA’s reference and vehicle count. Everything else in this list is owner-reported: patterns that come up repeatedly with workshops, owner forums and reliability surveys. Those are worth checking on a viewing, but we hold no count of how many cars have each one, other than any survey share a card itself quotes. Treat an owner-reported item as a question to ask, not a fault this car has.
AC compressor (early-batch)
- Symptoms
- AC blows warm; clicking from compressor
- Years affected
- Early 2020 production
- Indicative repair (UK)
- £650–£950 compressor + regas
- What to check before buying
- Test AC during inspection — should be cold within 1 minute on a warm day.
12V auxiliary battery (unused cars)
- Symptoms
- Hybrid system won't wake; "READY" not appearing
- Years affected
- All XP210 — Battery age 4–5 years
- Indicative repair (UK)
- £220–£350
- What to check before buying
- Toyota battery health check at dealer (£20–£30).
Brake squeak (regen)
- Symptoms
- Squeak at low speeds, fades with speed
- Years affected
- All hybrids
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Cosmetic
- What to check before buying
- Common, not a fault.
Touch 2 infotainment lag
- Symptoms
- Slow CarPlay response
- Years affected
- 2020–2022
- Indicative repair (UK)
- No fix — software limitation
- What to check before buying
- Use 10+ minutes during test drive to assess if liveable.
Front splitter scrape (low UK kerbs)
- Symptoms
- Cracked or missing front splitter
- Years affected
- All XP210
- Indicative repair (UK)
- £80–£180 plastic replacement
- What to check before buying
- Visual check at viewing.
DVSA safety recalls for the Toyota Yaris, largest first
These are the recalls DVSA lists for this model and its build years: every one of 10,000 or more vehicles, largest first, with DVSA’s own reference and figures. A recall covers only cars built in its dates and within its VIN range — check a particular car by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check. “Critical” here means DVSA’s own notice tells owners not to drive the car until it is fixed. It is never a size: “Large” means DVSA lists 10,000 or more vehicles in the recall.
- Safety recall · R/2022/055Large recall — 42,554 vehicles
The initialization of the radar sensor may not have been completed correctly
42,554 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 6 July 2020 and 21 June 2021 · recall launched 18 April 2022
- Safety recall · R/2023/279Large recall — 27,327 vehicles
On affected vehicles there is a possibility that the DCM may not complete the shutdown process within a specific period of time when the ignition is turned off causing the DCM to not restart at the next ignition cycle and making the e-Call function unavailable.
27,327 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 30 June 2021 and 28 July 2023 · recall launched 12 October 2023
- Safety recall · R/2021/315Large recall — 26,575 vehicles
The emergency calling system (ECALL) may not function when required
26,575 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 16 July 2020 and 26 March 2021 · recall launched 15 November 2021
- Safety recall · R/2021/181Large recall — 19,992 vehicles
Due to an inappropriate software the skid control ECU may not complete all its processing tasks
19,992 vehicles of this model (DVSA’s figures added up) · built between 8 July 2020 and 27 April 2021 · recall launched 14 June 2021
Source: DVSA vehicle recalls file (every recall since 1992), published under the Open Government Licence. Where DVSA gives one figure for a recall that covers several models, it is shown as the whole recall’s total.
Toyota Yaris MOT results by year and mileage
Measured from DVSA’s own MOT test records for tests carried out in 2025, not from owner reports.
By registration year
Against all cars registered in the same year, the MOT pass rate for the Yaris was higher in every one of the 10 registration years from 2013 to 2022 with enough tests to measure. The widest gap above is 2015 registrations: 85.4% against 76.7%.
Pass rate here: passed on the day, cars fixed during the test included. Rows: every Toyota Yaris DVSA tested in 2025, by registration year (2013–2022), all engines and fuels together. 2013–2019 registrations are older generations of the Yaris than this guide covers, shown for comparison; the guide’s own cars start in 2020. A registration year cannot separate two generations exactly when one replaced the other part-way through a year.
| Registered | Yaris | All cars that year | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20223,406 tests | 95.1% | 91.2% | +3.9 higher |
| 20212,583 tests | 94.5% | 90.1% | +4.4 higher |
| 20201,860 tests | 92.2% | 88.7% | +3.5 higher |
| 20192,650 tests | 90.3% | 86.9% | +3.4 higher |
| 20182,867 tests | 86.7% | 84.5% | +2.2 higher |
| 20172,705 tests | 85.2% | 82.2% | +3.0 higher |
| 20162,888 tests | 85.6% | 79.4% | +6.2 higher |
| 20153,274 tests | 85.4% | 76.7% | +8.7 higher |
| 20143,145 tests | 78.4% | 74.3% | +4.1 higher |
| 20133,039 tests | 75.6% | 71.9% | +3.7 higher |
By mileage at the test
Against cars of the same age on the same mileage, the pass rate for the Yaris was higher in every one of the 7 mileage bands with enough tests. How other models compare at the same mileage.
Show the table by mileage (7 bands)
| Mileage | Yaris | Same age and mileage | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k5,373 tests | 95.4% | 93.6% | +1.8 higher |
| 20k–40k9,754 tests | 89.9% | 87.7% | +2.2 higher |
| 40k–60k9,684 tests | 81.5% | 79.8% | +1.8 higher |
| 60k–80k9,169 tests | 75.7% | 72.9% | +2.8 higher |
| 80k–100k6,779 tests | 70.3% | 68.0% | +2.3 higher |
| 100k–120k4,155 tests | 67.8% | 65.3% | +2.6 higher |
| 120k–140k2,242 tests | 66.5% | 64.1% | +2.5 higher |
Only a major or dangerous defect fails an MOT. A minor defect is recorded on the certificate and the car still passes, and an advisory is not a failure at all.
We don’t give a recall count for the Toyota Yaris: whether a recall applies depends on the individual car. Check the one you are looking at by entering its registration on GOV.UK’s vehicle recall checker, and see how to check a car for known faults for the other free checks.
Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0), a sample of the 2025 file (about one test in ten, from nine months) (3,459,000 tests). Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a pass here (passed on the day); DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Odometer readings below 100 or above 400,000 miles are discarded as misreadings, and cars under three years old are excluded because no MOT is yet due. Sampled from nine months of 2025 (January, February, April, May, July, August, September, October and November). Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. Registration years shown are cars 3 to 12 years old when tested; the smallest rests on 1,860 tests. A gap is called level when it is under one percentage point or inside the 95% sampling margin for that number of tests. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Who this car suits — and who should look elsewhere
Urban drivers, first-time buyers, anyone prioritising lowest running costs.
Long-distance highway commuters wanting cabin space.
Alternatives to consider
If the Toyota Yaris doesn't suit, these comparable models are worth a look in the UK market:
- →Honda Jazz common faults
- →Hyundai i20 Hybrid
- →Kia Picanto
Toyota Yaris: questions buyers ask
What are the most common faults on a used Toyota Yaris in the UK?
The XP210 Toyota Yaris Hybrid (2020+) is among the most reliable cars sold in the UK. The hybrid system is solid; minor concerns are early-batch AC compressor failures, the 12V auxiliary battery on cars left unused, and brake squeak (cosmetic, common across all hybrids). The pre-2020 XP130 had rear-beam corrosion in coastal areas — XP210 unaffected. Best-buy: any year. Worst: none.
What is the best year to buy a used Toyota Yaris in the UK?
Best-buy years: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. Toyota Yaris reliability is consistently excellent; no standout bad year.
What years of Toyota Yaris should I avoid in the UK?
No specific year of the XP210, 2020+ Toyota Yaris is generally avoided. No standout bad year in XP210. Pre-2020 XP130 had documented rear-beam corrosion in coastal areas — that generation is the one to avoid.
How much does a used Toyota Yaris cost in the UK in 2026?
What sellers were asking on Autoza on 29 October 2026, for Toyota Yaris cars registered from 2020: £11,999–£28,990, median £15,499 — the range is the middle 80% of asking prices. Those are asking prices, not what buyers paid, and not a UK price index. Prices vary by mileage, region and trim, so compare several adverts of the same year and mileage band before negotiating.
What is the road tax (VED) on a Toyota Yaris in the UK?
Annual road tax (VED): £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025 (2026/27 rates). A car registered from April 2017 that listed at over £40,000 new (options included) also pays the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 — it is the price when new that counts, not what you pay for it used.
What fuel economy does a Toyota Yaris achieve?
Official WLTP combined figure: 58–69 mpg official WLTP combined for the 1.5 Hybrid (Toyota UK specification sheet). WLTP is a laboratory test: the Vehicle Certification Agency says its figures serve to compare similar models, and that driving style, accessories and extra weight change what you achieve on the road.
How does a Toyota Yaris compare to its rivals?
Strong alternatives in the UK: Honda Jazz, Hyundai i20 Hybrid, Kia Picanto. Choose based on dealer network in your area, parts availability, and your priorities (running cost vs. cabin quality vs. badge).
Who is the Toyota Yaris most suitable for?
Urban drivers, first-time buyers, anyone prioritising lowest running costs.
Who should NOT buy a Toyota Yaris?
Long-distance highway commuters wanting cabin space.
Are there safety recalls on the Toyota Yaris?
DVSA lists 4 safety recalls for the Toyota Yaris that this guide shows or names, the largest first: R/2022/055 (42,554 vehicles in the whole recall, built between 6 July 2020 and 21 June 2021): The initialization of the radar sensor may not have been completed correctly; R/2023/279 (27,327 vehicles in the whole recall, built between 30 June 2021 and 28 July 2023): On affected vehicles there is a possibility that the DCM may not complete the shutdown process within a specific period of time when the ignition is turned off causing the DCM to not restart at the next ignition cycle and making the e-Call function unavailable; R/2021/315 (26,575 vehicles in the whole recall, built between 16 July 2020 and 26 March 2021): The emergency calling system (ECALL) may not function when required. Whether a particular car is affected depends on its build date and VIN, so check its registration on GOV.UK (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy.
Check these next
The guide above is about the Toyota Yaris as a model. These are about the car in front of you.
- Browse Toyota Yaris listings on AutozaEvery one listed now.
- Check any car by its registrationFree: its MOT history, tax status and any open recall, from a number plate.
- Work out the road tax for the YarisVehicle tax (VED) by registration date, CO2 and list price.
- Work out the monthly payment on a £15,499 YarisThe median asking price on Autoza on 29 October 2026, not what buyers pay: change it to the car you are looking at.
- What is your Yaris worth?A price range from dealers' asking prices for comparable cars.
Looking to buy a Toyota Yaris in the UK?
Search Autoza listings filtered by year, mileage, and region. Every dealer page shows the business name, address and contact details, so you can check the business before you enquire.