Thanks for the responses. I have heard a number of stories about clutch issues with the i20, though I'm told the i20 is the most refined of the three cars in terms of ride and handling.

I'm well aware of the outstanding reliability of the Honda's and Toyota's, I'm just not so confident with the Hyundai. I appreciate the comments and I suppose the £1000 saving is most likely two year's worth of petrol costs for the i20, so worth the gamble.

Appreciate if anyone else has a view, as I'm still undecided. The Hyundai does seem very good value for a decent sized-low mileage run around with warranty.

Hello. Have had several Yaris's in the past, all from new (the first version in petrol, diesel and automatic guises). Have had a Jazz from new (a 2008 early shape CVT). Have had two i10's from new (a manual and an auto). Have had no experience of Honda customer service as I had no cause to speak to them...the car was faultless. Have no experience with Toyota customer service as all the cars were faultless (except a dodgy CD player needed which was swapped straight away). Have had a bucket load of experience with Hyundai customer service due to numerous issues on both cars. The transmission featured heavily on the first, manual, one as well as other problems. The second one, the auto, has had other (not transmission related) issues requiring major intervention by Hyundai Head Office. Remember my transmission on the 1200cc is the same as 1200cc i20's.

I hear you ask which of the three makes would I avoid like the plague in the future. I do believe I can hear you answer the question for me.

Remember Toyotas have five years warranty from 1st June 2010. Actually the Hyundai warranty package is ostensibly quite attractive as it includes 5 yrs breakdown cover with the RAC. The dealers aren't, in my opinion, as bad as the people at Head Office who administer the warranty but it's Head Office who decide what gets done and what doesn't. Having been there I'd buy something else...but it's your call. Hondas do tend to be a bit dearer...but, in life, there's usually a reason for most things. My incliination, looking at value as well as reputation, would be Toyota. There are excellent discounts at someone like Broker4cars - a broker which has been mentioned on here for years. Also Carfile and DrivetheDeal. Could you stretch to a new Yaris from B4C? Strikes me as the best option. Also, see if you could negotiate a servicing package at the outset. Usually good value if bought with the car.

Edited by KB. on 01/10/2013 at 17:32

Valid points, Auristocrat. Your personal experienceof the cars has been excellent therefore your report is helpful to the OP.... and you are correct re. your other points. And I'm sure the vast majority now find their i20's to be fine and they must, surely, have sorted the clutches out now....I know a bloke personally who has nothing but praise for his. But I spoke personally to the Head Technical Honcho at Hyundai about the clutches in question when he came to my home address to see, and drive, my car and it wasn't especially reassuring at the time. The Cust. Serv. Manager at Head Office was happy to dismiss me and my problems at the drop of a hat and had to be spoken to by 'Senior Hyundai Management' further up the chain of command following the Tech Manager's visit, in order to get her to change her mind and get my most recent issue fixed (in India, as it happens).

So I have less confidence than I would have with the others due to personal experience and would be reticent to give them more of my money in the hope that all went well with a new one.

Avant has good experience with the Hyundai brand, so would disagree with me (although, for some reason, he's never responded to any of the posts I've made whilst he's been a Mod).... but that's neither here nor there.

And I admit that my thoughts relate to new cars, not used ones and it could be that the Hyundai would be best for the OP if there are finacial restraints to prevent buying new.

Nothing much more to add...hope the OP gets sorted.

Edited by KB. on 01/10/2013 at 20:19