Models · Toyota
Toyota GR Yaris buying guide
Toyota's four-wheel-drive homologation hot hatch, on sale since 2020 with a bespoke three-door body and a 1.6 turbocharged three-cylinder. An updated version arrived in early 2024. Its checks centre on how it has been driven and maintained.
The versions
- 1.6 turbocharged three-cylinder, 257bhp and 360Nm
- Six-speed manual, GR-Four permanent four-wheel drive with Normal, Sport and Track modes
- Circuit Pack: GR Circuit suspension and Torsen limited slip differentials front and rear
- Three-door hatchback with double-wishbone rear suspension; the 2024 update brought a multi-piece front bumper
What to check on a GR Yaris
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
The gearbox, especially from cold
What to look for: Drive the car from cold and change through the gears gently, then again when warm. Note any crunch from first to second or second to third, a notchy change up from first, or the gearbox jumping out of second.
Why it matters: Early cars can crunch between first and second and between second and third, usually from hurried changes when cold, which can cause damage that only a rebuild or replacement through Toyota fixes. Some cars popped out of second, which dealers could cure by adjusting the cable linkage under warranty.
Boost delivery and warning lights
What to look for: Take a long enough drive to warm the engine fully, then accelerate firmly. Power should build smoothly and in a straight line. Note any sudden drop in power or warning lights. Ask for the full service history, at every 6,000 miles.
Why it matters: A drop in turbo pressure is a common issue, usually fixed by replacing the boost sensor or solenoid. Limp mode just after refuelling has been traced to a fuel cap not clicked fully shut. Large power increases from tuning can cause more problems, so a standard or well-documented car is preferable.
Lower grille and intercooler
What to look for: Look at the plastic mesh in the lower front grille for breaks or holes, and look through it at the intercooler behind for bent fins or damage. Check the windscreen for chips.
Why it matters: The lower grille mesh is prone to breaking when hit by gravel, and it forms the main part of the bumper. Debris getting through can damage the intercooler, which is the bigger repair. The windscreen is specific to the GR Yaris and chips easily.
Also in the full guide
- Radar sensor recall
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the GR Yaris
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Toyota.