i'm one of a rapidly growing number who doesn't hold to the theory that the state is our friend, who exactly is the state, who's in charge or owns it who's checking what the state is doing and what happens when people you don't agree with become the state, or to turn that on its head, when the state decides they don't like you or your thoughts, ie if you happen to stray from the hymnsheet of the day.

That comes under the general heading of paranoia, or perhaps conspiracy belief. We all know about GCHQ and what we are told it is for, but I suspect they have enough difficulty keeping up with important problems without worrying about drivers on British roads. And the politicians may not be competent enough to offer a serious worry ?

Don't worry.

I know that when I went to the psychosis clinic last week to complain I was hearing my car telling me what to do, they said "take a seat.. Someone will be out to get you in a minute ! "

You didn't go to the psychosis clinic last week. You were at home all week, don't you remember?

On the actual subject, there must be a transmitter somewhere if information is being sent, so what would this be and would wrapping it in tinfoil be effective in silencing it? Just asking out of curiosity, although GB I don't think it's paranoia at all, just a healthy regard for your personal privacy!

A few years ago, worries about cyber and bank fraud were often dismissed as paranoia or "conspiratorial" thinking. Fast forward to 2025, and the UK is now seeing an average of 814 bank fraud incidents every day, with 511 related to Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud and 203 involving bank account takeovers. This is separate from an estimated 1,500 daily incidents of cybercrime linked to email takeovers, which include 1,200 cases driven by phishing attacks and 300 involving PC or laptop takeovers, all tied to "connected" devices.

As we move towards connected vehicles, the risks are not just similar, they’re inevitable. Major brands like Tesla and Jeep have already faced serious breaches during testing, with hackers managing to take control of vehicle systems and access and extract sensitive data, like contact information, location data, text message data, email addresses linked to apps and financial data.

Connected cars generate huge amounts of personal information, making them prime targets for fraud, identity theft, and even stalking. The UK and EU are already drafting up legislation to tighten the duties of car manufacturers and their data sharing practices and data protection practices. Dismissing these concerns as mere conspiracy theories is misguided, especially when the statistics are so telling.

Recently, the car brand BYD has been in the spotlight due to security concerns in the UK and USA, linked to potential data privacy issues with the Chinese Communist Party. This has led to investigations in the USA and warnings against their use by government officials, while Israel has completely stopped supplying BYD vehicles to IDF officers over similar risks. Are these officials all unnecessarily "paranoid" and "psychotic" too?

So, while some of you may choose to laugh and mock, it’s probably wise to stay alert and keep a close eye on this situation and educate yourselves on the subject.

So what car are you thinking of getting?

So what car are you thinking of getting?

So what car are you thinking of getting?

gordonbennet mentioned (in my previous thread) on looking into an older reliable Toyota with low mileage. I've taken this advice on board (by the way, thank you gordon).

I have been researching various models of the Toyota Yaris, both hybrid and non-hybrid, produced between 2011 and 2016, along with the Honda Jazz (2015 to 2019), Mitsubishi Mirage (2015 to 2020), and Suzuki Celerio (2015 to 2018), and the Toyota Aygo (pre 2020). All of these cars are from Japanese manufacturers, which are well known for their long term reliability.

Although the Toyota Yaris hybrid from this period is generally considered very reliable, the warranty for the hybrid batteries is somewhat limited, ranging from 10 to 15 years or 100,000 miles. If any issues were to arise with the hybrid battery, I can only imagine that the costs for replacement or repair would be quite significant, leaving me uncertain about opting for the hybrid version.

Currently, I find myself leaning towards the traditional internal combustion engine models. However, I am still conducting further research and have not yet reached a final decision, as I'm becoming increasingly aware that the availability of parts (should they need replacing) will be difficult for these older models.

Don't be afraid of Toyota/Lexus hybrids, or Suzuki Swace which is a rebadged Corolla estate.

The hybrid drivetrain has proved iitself over many hundreds of thousands of miles, only in the next town a Auris hybrid taxi finally developed engine issues at 440k miles, hybrid never gave a moment's trouble, taxi driver has replaced with another Auris.

There's a company in Northampton that refurbs Toyota hybrid batteries on a menu basis, costing no more than what a dual mass clutch assembly might set you back on a sizeable car, no doubt other such places can be found and will open up but the tales of dead Toyota hybrid batteries.systems are very difficult to find.

www.hybridbatterysolutions.co.uk/ no association with the company.

I was unaware that hybrid batteries could be repaired. I had always assumed that these batteries would eventually degrade, rendering them permanently unusable, with replacement as the only and extremely costly option.

Thank you for providing me with that link and for sharing this valuable information. It will assist me in making an informed decision regarding my choice of vehicle.

I have one additional question. In terms of overall long-term reliability, would you consider Toyota to be the leading brand among Japanese car manufacturers? Could you please rank the following brands in order of reliability, from best to worst: Nissan, Subaru, Mazda, Suzuki, Honda, Mitsubishi, and Toyota?

Additionally, does the Mark 3 version of the Yaris Hybrid (2011 to 2019) possess a similar level of reputational reliability to that of the Prius Hybrid and the Corolla?

The reason I inquire is that the Wikipedia article for the Mark 3 Yaris Hybrid states that the version released in Europe and the UK was manufactured in France rather than Japan. I am curious whether the reliability and manufacturing standards are comparable.

Agree with BBD's summary.

Subarus require extensive maintenance and if things do go wrong the boxer engines require many hours of work, even changing spark plugs is a work of art, plus the heavy drinking problem, superb for traction and generally tough vehicles but if you don't need 4WD suggest avoid.

Toyota seldom makes a bad car, those made in factories other than Japan are just as well built imho.

The only downside of all Japanese cars is its worth keeping an eye on the undercarriage for rust, and take proofing steps to treat it if it raises its ugly mug, Japanese cars arn't alone in this of course but generally they tend to last many trouble years so rust might be more of an issue than with many other makes.

Thank you, badbusdriver and gordonbennet, for your invaluable insights.

In recent days, I have refined my options somewhat. The Toyota Yaris Hybrid, Suzuki Celerio, and Honda Jazz still stand out. Although I am also considering the Mazda 2 and the Suzuki Ignis.

You are indeed correct regarding the Mitsubishi Mirage. While I have a particular fondness for this vehicle too, especially as my relatives in Canada speak highly of its reliability, it appears that sourcing parts in the UK could present significant challenges should any issues arise.

I am also attracted to the compact dimensions of the Celerio and its straightforward, no-frills approach to motoring. The interior is quite minimalist, featuring only electric windows, air conditioning, and DAB radio as its luxuries, and notably, it lacks an infotainment display, which I view as a beneficial aspect.

Additionally, the Ignis seems to offer a similarly basic motoring and driving experience.

I have commenced my search, and my primary challenge thus far has been locating these vehicles with low mileage available for purchase in my vicinity. However, I am open to broadening my search to find the ideal "disconnected" car.