How does r/CarTalkUK feel about this used car and price?
I'm a Canadian visiting the UK for a few months. Seems like buying a car is more efficient than renting for my needs. I'd like to just use transit, but don't think I can make it work.
Presently on the south coast. I visited a used dealership that has available a 2008 Toyota Yaris TR. Body is in great condition. They are asking £4,000.
Stats:
54,000 miles
Manual
Petrol
5-door hatchback
1.3L
Euro 4 emission class
TR trim has AC, electric windows, alloy wheels
Comes with a six-month national warranty (I have yet to learn details of how that works) and 12-month MOT (I think I have that phraseology right). I'll be using the car for less than six months and selling it.
The price feels high to me, but given low mileage for age and the warranty, that feeling wears off.
Given that I'm not familiar with the local market, nor really anything else related to UK cars, I am hoping that you folks would be kind enough to offer your opinion. My main decision factors are, in order: reliability, ease and affordability of repairs (repairs may not be necessary with the warranty), easy saleability at the end of my stay.
In case anyone is curious (and for future searchers in a similar situation), I have managed to secure an insurance quote as a non-resident purchasing an owned vehicle in the UK from Trinity Lane Insurance via Sterling Insurance Brokerage that, while expensive, isn't nearly as bad as I'd feared it could be.
Posted Jun 13, 2025, 12:31 PM UTC