Should I worry about a modified Toyota Auris?

Hi there,

I was just looking at a 2007 Toyota Auris for sale from a dealer. Looks good - 70,000 miles on clock, NCT until 2017. But my worry is that it has a spoiler and body kit stuff done from previous owner (boy racer alert!). Would it be a risk to buy this or am I being paranoid?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Pearse Thornton

Sep 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

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Expert answer

Hi Pearse,

I wouldn't be too worried. You have a couple of things in your favour, first and foremost of which is that the Auris is about as solid and dependable as cars get, so even if it has been thrashed a bit, it can take it. Secondly, it's a long way from being the favoured car of boy racers, and a 2007 version would in any case probably be too expensive a car for the sort of person who adds a three-foot rear wing and goes doing handbrake turns in McDonald's car park at night. Basically, go with your gut. If the car seems to have been cared for, comes with a full service history and the dealer is willing to give you a decent warranty (one year at least) then it should be fine.

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Advisor
@neilmbriscoe