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Should we buy this Toyota Yaris which is overdue for an oil change?

We are hunting for a replacement for our written-off Fiesta and have read your review and decided to go for a 2004 Toyota Yaris diesel with 32,000 miles. We saw one this week for sale from trader, which seems a good car but the service history is poor. There's only one recorded service at 23,000 miles, from which we suspect no oil or filter change before or since then, despite Toyota's recommendation of an oil and filter change every 10,000 miles or each year. We also note your advice to change the oil much more frequently for a longer, trouble-free life. Are we sensible to walk away from this car, or if we buy it and go for regular oil change routine is it unlikely to be a problem?

Asked on 30 July 2010 by 999pr

Answered by David Ross
Toyota engines are very reliable and can cope with that, although it's not ideal. Tell the trader you're prepared to buy the car, but only if it's had an oil and filter change.
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