2007 Toyota Yaris 1.3L Petrol · GU57 HSC

The 1.296-litre petrol Yaris is frugal, with real-world fuel economy typically in the mid-40s mpg. Road tax is minimal thanks to the small engine and pre-2001 emissions bracket being irrelevant here — for a 2007 petrol Yaris the annual VED is a modest flat-rate figure rather than the expensive bands applied to newer cars. Insurance is also favourable, with the Yaris sitting in a low insurance group, making this a cheap car to keep on the road for everyday use.

The main cost concern with this particular example is age-related maintenance. At nearly 160,000 miles, items such as suspension bushes, exhaust components, brake discs and the clutch are all candidates for replacement. Realistically, annual running costs including fuel, tax, insurance and maintenance should be budgeted at £1,200-£1,600 for this specific car, with the upper end likely if any major wear items fail soon after purchase.

Based on the aggregate Yaris failure data, corrosion is the most common MOT failure point, so examine sills, wheel arches and suspension mounting points for rust bubbling or repair patches — MOT testers will fail a car for corrosion that is 'excessive' rather than surface, but early-stage corrosion tells you what is coming. The anti-roll bar link is the second most common failure area, so listen for clonking over bumps and check the droplinks visually during a test drive. Tyre condition and even wear should also be assessed, as this is the third most common failure reason for the model overall.

For the engine specifically, check the coolant level and condition — a milky residue or low level suggests head gasket concerns. On the test drive, listen for timing chain rattle on cold start, feel for any clutch slip on steep inclines, and check that all gears engage cleanly. Finally, verify the mileage on the dashboard matches the MOT records shown, and ensure the VIN on the V5 and the car itself match the registration GU57HSC.