2008 Toyota Yaris diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Toyota Yaris diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Toyota Yaris diesel than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Rigid brake pipes2.5× usual
  Toyota Yaris

  23.3% All 2008 cars

  9.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Coil springs1.7× usual
  Toyota Yaris

  19.5% All 2008 cars

  11.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 4.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Corroded fuel pipes12.7× usual
  Toyota Yaris

  7.6% All 2008 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.1× usual
  Toyota Yaris

  7.2% All 2008 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Wheel bearings2.3× usual
  Toyota Yaris

  6% All 2008 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

Common 2008 Toyota Yaris diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Toyota Yaris diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  48% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Brakes
  39% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  35% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  32% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Rust and bodywork
  15% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  11% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2008 Toyota Yaris diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Jerky MMT automatic

  MMT automatic

  The MMT automated gearbox is jerky, and owners generally don't like it. What Car? also notes some reliability issues without naming them.

  At the viewing: If it's an automatic, drive it in traffic and feel for lurching changes.

  Source: What Car?: used Toyota Yaris (2006-2011) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Toyota Yaris diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2008 Toyota Yaris diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2008 Toyota Yaris diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 12.7× as often on the 2008 Toyota Yaris diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?