Should I buy a Toyota Yaris hybrid mk4 (2020-present)?

Blank11

I am looking for a reliable car and hoping to keep it for a long time. Ideally low and cheap maintenance. The car that is always mentioned for its reliability is the Yaris. I also like the new look of them. 

However, now onto my concern is the battery issues which I’ve read online, it seems to be common. I drive once or twice a week usually. I am not sure if hybrid would be the right choice especially since I don’t drive often and I do not know if this will degrade the battery. But I like Yaris for its reliability and safety car. 

Another question I have is that the majority of Yaris I have seen that are 21 plates have only done 7-12k mileage. I normally like low mileage on cars but would this be considered an issue with it being a hybrid?

I have also seen they do 10 year warranty and battery 15 year warranty. But I’m just not sure as with warranties they have such small lettering for what is under warranty. Is the warranty a more of a “gimmick”?

fatbelly

The Honest John site recommends using a trickle charger.

Other than that, it seems a good car

Alanp

Leave it in ready mode for at least an hour a week ( it doesn’t have to be all at once) this charges the 12v battery via the traction battery, 

WellKnownSid

Blank11 said:

I have also seen they do 10 year warranty and battery 15 year warranty. But I’m just not sure as with warranties they have such small lettering for what is under warranty. Is the warranty a more of a “gimmick”?

The battery with the 15 year warranty isn't the battery that normally causes the trouble...

To be fair the Toyota warranty is pretty comprehensive, especially against most third party policies - wear and tear items like the 12v battery are never covered.

https://www.toyota.co.uk/content/dam/toyota/nmsc/united-kingdom/owners/warranty/toyota-warranty/toyota-warranty-ts-and-cs-june-2022.pdf

daveyjp

Buy a last of the Mk3 from 2019 (they may have sneaked into 20 reg) with a manual gearbox, nice and simple.

Ours is now 7 years old.  Just had a service and only item which will need replacement soon are the handbrake cables.

Blank11

fatbelly said:

The Honest John site recommends using a trickle charger.

Other than that, it seems a good car

Do you have any recommendations for what charger to buy? 

Yeah agreed it ticks all the boxes except the charger issue. I don’t drive often so that is the only concern I have. 

Blank11

WellKnownSid said:

Blank11 said:

I have also seen they do 10 year warranty and battery 15 year warranty. But I’m just not sure as with warranties they have such small lettering for what is under warranty. Is the warranty a more of a “gimmick”?

The battery with the 15 year warranty isn't the battery that normally causes the trouble...

To be fair the Toyota warranty is pretty comprehensive, especially against most third party policies - wear and tear items like the 12v battery are never covered.

https://www.toyota.co.uk/content/dam/toyota/nmsc/united-kingdom/owners/warranty/toyota-warranty/toyota-warranty-ts-and-cs-june-2022.pdf

You are right about that!! I need to look up more in detail with car parts. I am a little ignorant on this topic so I had no idea about the two separate batteries.  

I am just a little confused because the battery is under the rear cabin seat but then if the 12V battery that is meant to do its role is flat how do you open the door to charge?

Blank11

Alanp said:

Leave it in ready mode for at least an hour a week ( it doesn’t have to be all at once) this charges the 12v battery via the traction battery, 

I don’t travel often and usually it is maybe half an hour each trip going there and coming home. 

Do you mean I can break apart the ready mode for an hour in little segments throughout the week? I read (sorry I am still learning and new to this so my info and knowledge might be wrong) short distances is bad for hybrid. So I am thinking would this not be the same with ready mode? 

I’ve read commenter saying to use a trickle charger but if the battery is flat and to charge it I’d have to go through the rear cabin seat would I need to call a specialist every time? Obviously I wouldn’t want it to get to that stage but say if I came back from a few weeks holiday or unexpected happens 

Blank11

daveyjp said:

Buy a last of the Mk3 from 2019 (they may have sneaked into 20 reg) with a manual gearbox, nice and simple.

Ours is now 7 years old.  Just had a service and only item which will need replacement soon are the handbrake cables.

Sadly I am buying auto but petrol would have been my preferred option! The reliability of the Yaris is what I like but the battery issue is my only concern. 

GrumpyDil

Just one thought though. If you are only using the car once or twice a week would another option be to save the money you will spend on the car and use taxis for the occasions you would use the car? 

Blank11

GrumpyDil said:

Just one thought though. If you are only using the car once or twice a week would another option be to save the money you will spend on the car and use taxis for the occasions you would use the car? 

We live in a remote area so taxi is quite expensive and no where near a train station or bus stop. Probably not as expensive as a car but I think there is the peace of mind knowing if you needed to go out straightaway you can without relying on anyone. I drive to get to and from work. But also to do weekly shops and just feels a little awkward getting taxi for the small errands. There are times where I will see my friends but that isn’t as often.