2003 Toyota Yaris diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Toyota Yaris diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Toyota Yaris diesel than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes9.2× usual
  Toyota Yaris

  18.4% All 2003 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 0.5% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Headlights2.1× usual
  Toyota Yaris

  24.6% All 2003 cars

  11.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 4.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Rust around suspension or steering mountings3× usual
  Toyota Yaris

  18.4% All 2003 cars

  6.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9%, against 3.1% of all 2003 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.

• Coil springs2× usual
  Toyota Yaris

  21% All 2003 cars

  10.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.4% of all 2003 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.

• Wheel bearings2.7× usual
  Toyota Yaris

  10.1% All 2003 cars

  3.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 1.3% of all 2003 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 2003 Toyota Yaris diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Toyota Yaris diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  59% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  46% 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
  30% 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.

• Brakes
  28% 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.

• Rust and bodywork
  18% 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
  12% 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 2003 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.

• Whining gearbox

  All engines

  A whining gearbox is the biggest complaint about the first Yaris. Many were replaced under warranty.

  At the viewing: Listen for a whine that changes with speed, in each gear.

  Source: What Car?: Toyota Yaris (1999-2003) reliability

• Slipping clutch

  Manual gearbox

  Clutches can wear out early, especially on cars used mostly in town.

  At the viewing: In a high gear at low speed, press the accelerator firmly. If the revs rise but the car doesn't speed up, the clutch is slipping.

  Source: What Car?: Toyota Yaris (1999-2003) reliability

• Uneven tyre wear

  All engines

  Uneven tyre wear and kerbed wheels can point to suspension that is out of alignment.

  At the viewing: Look at the inner and outer edges of the front tyres, and check the wheels for kerb damage.

  Source: What Car?: Toyota Yaris (1999-2003) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 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 anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 9.2× as often on the 2003 Toyota Yaris diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2003 Toyota Yaris diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2003 Toyota Yaris diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?