How Long Do Toyota Yaris Last?

Having been present since early 1999 when production started, the Toyota Yaris had big shoes to fill as it had to replace the Tercel and the Starlet.

It had countless names worldwide and a lot of different body types over the years, which has a lot of people thinking about the car’s overall longevity.

The biggest concern people have is “How long do Toyota Yaris last?”.

The vehicle excels at this, as the Toyota Yaris can easily go up to 300,000 miles or 20 years, with some great vehicles known for their dependable nature and durability.

Seeing as the Toyota Yaris can last a considerable while, it only makes sense to see how far you can realistically expect your Toyota Yaris to last and see how far the car can go compared to its competitors.

Along with showing you all of this, I will also talk about any concerns or questions you may have about the Toyota Yaris, so read the whole article.

What Is The Average Life Expectancy Of A Toyota Yaris?

Since the Toyota Yaris is capable of going 300,000 miles, you should realistically count at least 25,000 miles less, which puts the car up to 275,000 miles and reduces the lifespan of the car to around 18 years which is still not bad when compared to other subcompact cars which can only last as far as 16 years or even 13 years.

The least you can expect the car to go is about 250,000 miles which translates to 16 years of service, which, as I said, could be worse.

Overall, you should expect a fair good lifespan from the Toyota Yaris especially considering its good and problem-free models.

While the Toyota Yaris may have had a slight hiccup with the 2007 and 2008 models, those years are long gone, and since then, to the most recent models, the Toyota Yaris has been performing exceptionally well.

Does Toyota Yaris Last Longer Than Other Similar Vehicles?

With so many good things to say about the Toyota Yaris, you would expect that its competition is just as good, if not better, and to that, I say that I should put it to the test.

There is no shortage of subcompact cars in today’s market.

Seeing the Toyota Yaris’s exceptional reputation makes sense that I compare it to some of the best and most reputable subcompact cars currently available.

I have taken three such cars and have taken steps to directly compare their lifespan and the factors affecting them to the Toyota Yaris.

This way, I will show you how the Yaris performs when compared to other vehicles once and for all.

1. Toyota Yaris Vs. Toyota Prius C

Staring off these comparisons, I will pit the Toyota Yaris against the Toyota Prius C, a subcompact car made by the same brand and having roughly the same popularity.

• When looking at the charts, the Toyota Yaris dominates the competition, being regarded as the most reliable subcompact car on the market, certainly beating the Toyota Prius C, which is always a bit below the Toyota Yaris.
• While both cars can hit the 300,000-mile mark, the Toyota Yaris can do much more consistently and reach higher mileages, while the Toyota Prius C will start to give out at 200,000 miles.
• When it comes to problems, the Toyota Yaris has two problematic models while the Toyota Prius C has none, making it the winner in this regard.
• Fixing these problems will be much cheaper in the Toyota Yaris than the Toyota Prius C, which costs $50 more for annual repairs and maintenance.

This first comparison is vastly in favor of the Toyota Yaris, which would have had a clear victory if not for its two underperforming models.

Related: How Many Miles Will A Toyota Prius Last?

2. Toyota Yaris Vs. Mazda MX-5 Miata

Next up on the comparisons is the Mazda MX-5 Miata, a much older but equally respected and prominent 2-door vehicle.

• Seeing both cars on various top 10s lists and reports is a good sign. Still, the Toyota Yaris is always a few spots ahead of the Mazda MX-5 Miata, which has slightly fewer reliability scores overall.
• In the longevity department, the Toyota Yaris has the Mazda MX-5 Miata beat by about 100,000 miles which are well over six years in service.
• Seeing as how the Toyota Yaris is much newer than the Mazda MX-5 Miata, it is surprising to see the Mazda MX-5 Miata have fewer problems consistently in all of its models as compared to the Toyota Yaris, which had the two bad models, making it lose to the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
• On the topic of annual maintenance, it is evident to see the Toyota Yaris win over the Mazda MX-5 Miata, which is more than $100 costlier to repair.

Following the similar trend as the Toyota Prius C, the Toyota Yaris, apart from problems, beats the Mazda MX-5 Miata in all other regards.

3. Toyota Yaris Vs. Hyundai Accent

The last vehicle I will compare to the Toyota Yaris is the Hyundai Accent, a car lineup five years older than the Toyota Yaris but has similar popularity.

• It is no surprise that the Toyota Yaris beats the Hyundai Accent because it has a bit more reliability scores than it. Regardless of this, both cars can easily reach the top 5 for reliable cars.
• Unfortunately, this is where the comparisons start becoming less competitive as the Toyota Yaris has 100,000 miles more than the Hyundai Accent, which means six fewer years.
• The trend of the Toyota Yaris losing when it comes to problems also ends here as the Hyundai Accent has a lot more problems when compared to the Toyota Yaris.
• These problems are $100 cheaper to fix in the Toyota Yaris than the Hyundai Accent, making a choice very clear.

The Toyota Yaris has a good reputation, excellent repair cost and reliability scores, and outstanding durability and longevity.

Life Expectancy Of Toyota Yaris Car Parts

Toyota, as a company, is known for making reliable and long-lasting vehicles.

This is partly because they use excellent components in their cars that do not cause many issues or break down as easily.

After all, each component is essential in making the car run properly and smoothly, so you have to take care of the parts of the car and the car itself.

Here in this section, I will talk about the car’s components and how long you can expect them to last. I will also mention ways and methods you can apply to boost their lifespan.

Average Lifespan Of Toyota Yaris Brake Pads

The lifespan of the Toyota Yaris brake pads is pretty standard for the industry, averaging at around 50,000 miles and being capable of going as high as 70,000 miles.

This will no doubt depend on how well you maintain the brake pads. You can do this by making sure the car is not overloaded and using the brakes as sparingly as possible.

Average Lifespan Of Toyota Yaris Battery

Similar to the brake pads, the Toyota Yaris has a battery that has a standard lifespan of 3 to 5 years which means that, for the most part, you should be getting more than four years of service from it before having to get it replaced.

If you want to further increase its usability, you should keep the battery properly charged, which you can do by making sure the car does not stay inactive for long periods, especially outside in the sun, and is driven semi-frequently.

Average Lifespan Of Toyota Yaris Tires

The tires of the Toyota Yaris are a bit on the lower side, especially when compared to its competitors, but for the most part, you can expect well over three years of service from the tires before you have to get them replaced.

Tire management is quite tedious, and you will need a mechanic to help maintain them as you will need to get them realigned, repressurized, and rotated at least once a year if you want to get the most out of the tires.

Average Lifespan Of Toyota Yaris Transmission

You would not expect the transmission of the Toyota Yaris to last as long as the car itself, but by the miracle of modern engineering, the transmission of the Toyota Yaris can last as long as 300,000 miles which is great.

To get the most out of this, you will need to ensure that the transmission fluid is in the proper quantity. Along with this, you should shift the gears properly at the optimal speeds.

Average Lifespan Of Toyota Yaris Spark Plugs

The spark plugs of the Toyota Yaris are also a bit low in their lifespan, being capable of only lasting till 40,000 miles which is not bad by any means but definitely could be better.

If you are unhappy with the small life of the spark plugs, you can increase their lifespan by making sure that the plugs themselves and the mounting area are properly cleaned.

Average Lifespan Of Toyota Yaris Key Fob

There are two types of key fobs for the Toyota Yaris. The smart key fob has a battery life of 3 years max, and a regular key fob can go up to 6 years.

Regardless of which one you buy, you can increase their life by using the key fob only when you are in the range of the car and gently pushing the buttons rather the pressing hard and deep.

What Is Good Mileage For A Used Toyota Yaris?

You can buy the Toyota Yaris at higher mileages and still not have to deal with the issues that come with an older, used vehicle.

You can easily begin to consider a used Toyota Yaris even at 100,000 miles as this is only one-third of its lifespan, giving you a lot more time with the car than you would with other vehicles.

The best mileage to buy a used Toyota Corolla would be anywhere below 50,000 miles, but you can easily go up to 80,000 miles if you start to get good Toyota Yaris’ which are in excellent condition.

This should stretch up to 100,000 miles at the most, and while you can consider going slightly above, I would not recommend it as there could be a lot of user-caused issues that you would have to deal with.

How To Increase How Long Your Toyota Yaris Last

Reading the variety of tips and tricks available in this article, you should already have a firm grasp on how to take care of your Toyota Yaris.

Still, there are many other things you can try out that can further make sure that you get the most out of your Toyota Yaris and make it last as long as possible.

Here are a few more habits you should develop to push your Toyota Yaris to its absolute limits, avoid any sort of problems, and have a comfortable experience with the car.

• Regular cleaning.
• Store the car inside, protected from the weather and climate.
• Get a good warranty on the car.
• Avoid overworking the car when it is cold.
• Frequent checkups, maintenance, and inspections from a mechanic.
• Visit a repair shop immediately if you suspect any issues.
• Maintain the fluid levels of the car.

As I will talk about below, the paint of the car is prone to peeling off, and to avoid this from happening, you should clean the car regularly, keep it out of the sun and rain and have a warranty in case all else fails.

Overworking a car can have drastic effects on its lifespan, so you should make sure that you maintain the car’s fluids to protect against overheating and make sure the car runs smoothly.

You should also have any potential problems immediately checked up by a mechanic and regularly visit one to make sure everything is in working order.

Problems That Limit The Life Of Your Toyota Yaris

There have been two models that have been released in the Toyota Yaris lineup, which you should keep a lookout for as they are full of problems and issues.

For the most part, the Toyota Yaris lineup is clear of most major issues and, aside from a handful of complaints on most models, does not have any problems to discuss.

Still, these two models, in particular, the 2007 and the 2008 models, are known for their massive issues, which drastically reduce the lifespan of the Toyota Yaris.

Here, I will be listing out these problems for your convenience to avoid them, along with the most common problems that affect the Toyota Yaris.

• Clear coat and paint peeling.
• Engine rattling.
• Brakes squeaking and clicking.
• Engine shutdown at idle.
• Electrical issues.
• Water pump failure.

The paint-related issues can quickly lead to rusting problems, while the myriad of engine issues is good for the car’s health.

Water pump failure will cause the car to overheat, reducing the overall health and lifespan of the car, while the brakes squeaking and clicking are never a good sign.

All of these problems can easily get out of hand and can significantly reduce the life of your Toyota Yaris.

What To Look For When Buying A Toyota Yaris

Filled to the brim with reliability, the Toyota Yaris has a lot of options to choose from.

Aside from the models mentioned above, you should look at all of them before deciding which Toyota Yaris to buy.

This is especially important as there are a lot of special features and things that you should be looking for when buying a Toyota Yaris.

If you do not know what to look for, then you have come to the right place as I will tell you all the special things which you should look for when buying a Toyota Yaris.

• 6 Speed automatic transmission.
• 4 Door hatchback design.
• Redesigned larger versions (Available in 2012 and higher).
• SkyActiv engine management system.
• Low-speed forward automatic emergency braking system.

The body of the car is a choice that will vary from owner to owner, but seeing as though the company removed the Sedan option and brought it back for the 2020 version, I would still recommend a hatchback design.

6 Speed automatic transmission is a must, while the SkyActive system is very useful for keeping the engine in optimal condition.

The larger versions available from 2012 onwards are much more spacious and comfortable and have a lot more active safety features such as the automatic emergency braking system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is The Toyota Yaris A Reliable Car?

If you have not already guessed it, the Toyota Yaris has proven itself to be a very reliable car that passes the test of time and can provide its users with a comfortable and long-lasting driving experience that they will be praising for, for a long time.

Being capable of going up to 300,000 miles and the sheer lack of issues surrounding the Toyota Yaris really make it stand out as a reliable and dependable vehicle which is why it stands at the top of most lists and reports when it comes to reliability.

Q2. Does Toyota Yaris Have A Lot Of Problems?

The simple answer to this question is no. The Toyota Yaris has little to no problems, and this is a fact that I have made clear multiple times in this article.

Even when compared to other competitors, the Toyota Yaris stands out as having few issues aside from the ones faced by the 2007 and 2008 models.

These models included issues like paint peeling, clear coat peeling, and a variety of different engine and electrical issues, but most of these issues were only limited to these two models and did not spread to other ones.

Q3. Is It A Good Idea To Buy A Used Toyota Yaris?

Having so few issues and a much longer lifespan, the Toyota Yaris is a good car to get in a used condition.

Even if you get the car at 100,000 miles used, you can still hope to use the car for well over ten years which is extremely delightful.

If the car is in proper condition, then expecting problems will also be useless as, for the most part, the Toyota Yaris has little to no issues, and even if a problem does spring up, they are extremely cheap to repair.

You should for sure get a used Toyota Yaris if you have the opportunity to.

Q4. Does Toyota Yaris Rust Easily?

Any vehicle can rust if it is left in the elements and not given proper attention.

This is true for the Toyota Yaris as well, which will no doubt start to develop rust-related issues if left in the rain or other humid environments without proper rustproofing and care.

That being said, the Toyota Yaris, in general, does not have a lot of issues when it comes to rust and, for the most part, will provide you with a rust-free experience for most of its natural life.

You may start to see hints of rust at the bottom of doors or the bottom of the rear tailgate, but that should be the most of it.

Q5. Is Toyota Yaris Expensive To Maintain?

While the Toyota Yaris may be a lot of things, expensive is not one of them.

The Toyota Yaris stands out as one of, if not the most, inexpensive subcompact cars on the market, having almost half the price of repairs and maintenance of the average car, which can go up to $650 per year.

Along with this, it is significantly cheaper than other cars of its class which usually cost around $450, giving the Toyota Yaris an advantage of $120.

If you do not like cars that are expensive to repair, then the Toyota Yaris is definitely for you.

Conclusion

If you are still wondering “How long do Toyota Yaris last?”, then you should not be worried at all, as the Toyota Yaris is a very capable vehicle that will provide you with the most comfortable 20+ years of your driving life and make sure that you do not have to deal with a lot of costly issues.

Topping the charts, the Toyota Yaris is definitely a great car, and by following the tips and methods in this guide, you will no doubt have yourself everything you need to make sure that your Toyota Yaris lasts for a really long time.

Tahir Azam

I am Tahir Azam, and I have been writing amazing articles for TaxiHack for as long as I can remember. I know everything that is to know when it comes to automobiles and is always on top of industry news and developments. While I am not an expert by any means, I pride myself on knowing the ins and outs of many different problems and, of course, their solutions. The articles on our website are some of the best and well-researched content that you will find, and I spend countless hours making sure this remains to be true. This is why I ask you to take your time out and read some of my articles, especially if you find a topic that resonates with you or is something you are looking into. This way, you will find the perfect mix of information and tips on your desired topic. Learn more about Tahir.