Apart from the legendary reliability of the Yaris, I’m told to avoid the automatic on this year.

But can some one confirm that there is no cam belt to worry about on the Yaris, whereas the Fiesta has one ?

Not sure which car you are talking about re the auto, but in the case of the Fiesta, the 2015/2016 cars will use the Powershift DCT which should be avoided. To get a Fiesta with a reliable auto transmission and engine, you'd have to go for a 6th gen, pre-facelift, 1.4. So that is 2008/9-2012/13. 5th gen 1.4 auto used the Durashift automated manual (though weirdly, the 1.6 used a t/c auto). 6th gen post-facelift introduced the Powershift mated to a 1.6 (later replaced by the Ecoboost). Current shape Fiesta's use a t/c auto (hurrah!), but with the Ecoboost (boo!).

With the Yaris, since the 2011 model came out, all petrol auto's are CVT and have no problems. The Yaris hybrid uses a different type of transmission, but is also very reliable.

Having a belt is not something to worry about unless you are lax regarding having the car serviced. And, having a chain does not mean no problems. Earlier VAG TSI engines which used a chain were unreliable because of this, whereas the newer versions with belt are fine. Also, neglecting old changes on a chain engine will cause problems.

Edited by badbusdriver on 01/03/2021 at 18:10

Fiesta 1.25 has a belt. Easy job on these so nothing to worry about.