Toyota Yaris 2009 D4D - Think I bought a lemon ! - morgana

I bought this car new Nov 200 9(59 plate). It had a new clutch within 3 months, a new chrome trim for the gear knob cos it was so sharp it cut into my hand, new boot lock cos that jammed, new rear screen cos one of the heated lines broke, 2 turbo mods, a new vac pump, EGR valve cleaned out twice ( cos I asked them to) - found to be clogged solid with carbon.All done on warranty at a local dealership

Car is still running badly, chugging like an old bus sometimes when idling and blue smoke coming from the exhaust.Had it's 30K serviced 20 Dec2011 and was chuggingagain the day after. They called it in for new injectors this week and id did feel better but today when waiting at a junction, the car wasagain enveloped in big clouds of blue smoke for a few minutes.

I am desperate for a solution to these problems but the dealer, on advice of Toyota technical, don't seem to be any nearer solving the runing problsms.

All ideas gratefully received.

Toyota Yaris 2009 D4D - Think I bought a lemon ! - morgana

Thanks for that. This car is a replacement for the new one I bought in May 2009 that had problems from the start too. Long story again but after 3 months they admitted there was a problem with the engine and offered me a new short motor. I demanded a new car under the Sales of Goods Act (not fit for purpose etc). So I got this one !!!

As a Driving Instructor I bought Toyota for their relibility. First 2 Yarises were great but not the next 2. I wonder how many more fixes they will try til they admit it is a lemon?

Toyota Yaris 2009 D4D - Think I bought a lemon ! - Galad

Isn't the Yaris made in France? Is it a Renault diesel engine? Were your first 2 cars petrol or diesel? It's generally accepted that modern diesels are not suitable for regular short journeys, at low speeds so I would guess that driving instructors would be better off with petrol engines.

That said, you've been very unlucky what with all the faults experienced!

Toyota Yaris 2009 D4D - Think I bought a lemon ! - morgana

Yes it is made in france. My first 2 good cars were also Yarises and I had no problems at *all* with them. It seems to be the "greener cleaner" engines that have the problems.

Why should being a driving instructor make any difference to running? We don't plod along at 2mph you know <g> Yes we mostly teach round towns but we have our learners doing what most drivers do every day, drive round towns, rather than on motorways. I only work part time now tho, so do those regular short journeys:)

who says that" It's generally accepted that modern diesels are not suitable for regular short journeys, at low speeds"

If a car isn't fit for purpose, it shouldn't be sold for that purpose?

Many instructors use Yarises cos they were good and reliable cars and always diesels,for handling and economy, with no problems. The dealers who sold me the cars knew what my job was so if the car isn't suitable (in thir eyes) they should say so ?

Toyota Yaris 2009 D4D - Think I bought a lemon ! - morgana

Being an ADI wouldn't account for all the other build faults would it? It is a badly built car.

Toyota Yaris 2009 D4D - Think I bought a lemon ! - Galad

who says that" It's generally accepted that modern diesels are not suitable for regular short journeys, at low speeds"

BBC Whatchdog programme recently featured an item on diesel Fiat 500s and Nissan Qashqais both of which are marketed as fuel effecient town cars but which are actually not suitable for city driving, There are also numerous threads on Honest John relating to ongoing problems with common rail diesel engined cars of all makes.

I refuse to invest in a modern diesel car - it's too risky and expensive despite all the hype about fuel economy. Next door neighbour has just had to replace the Diesel Particulate Filter system on his 4 year old Volvo and has parted with £900, effectively wiping out all the extra mpg that he thought he had gained by buying a diesel in the first place.