Toyota Dealer Wants To Sell Me An Older Car Than The One I Ordered., And I Am Considering Rejecting It

Your car-purchasing experience should be one of the most memorable days in your life. Sadly, not everyone will remember it fondly, as many dealers like to try their luck with rather unethical practices. My latest find on the “Toyota Owners Club” forum drew me to a post from Ian, who recently ordered a 2025 Toyota Yaris Design. The car he is getting, however, or at least what the dealer is trying to give him, isn't quite what Ian hard ordered.  

Some of you will note that Toyota stopped selling the Yaris in the US, in 2020. This case is from the UK, but I am sharing it because it may be relevant to car buyers all over the world. After all, there are no borders when it comes to stupidity or mischievous acts. The closest thing US buyers get nowadays is the Toyota Corolla, which gets revamped for 2026. The same is true for the GR Corolla, which could get a new engine, among other upgrades. 

Here's what Ian says:  

“On 23rd March, I went into the dealership and ended up ordering a 2025 Yaris Design, paying extra for the safety pack.   Delivery was for 4th of April to the dealership, which we thought was rather quick, but we were happy about it and due to collect car on 11th April. 

Received car details, reg number, and also a VIN. However, we requested it be fitted with our private plate.  Amongst numerous paperwork and emails from Toyota UK, an email referenced the car as being a 2024 model.  I then tried checking the VIN for the year, but no luck.  I then started reading recent reviews for the 2025 Yaris and it came to my attention that the car may not be a 2025 model.  I emailed the dealer twice asking them to decipher the VIN so we could see the year, but got no response. 

On contacting the dealership, they eventually admitted it was a 2024, stating that it was built in 2025 and that the 2025 models would not be available until late April.  Apparently, the 2025 has a few upgrades, i.e., info screen size, safety sense being inclusive, and some other additions.  The dealer should have been upfront about it being a 2024 built in 2025 and not the upgraded model.  

We are seriously considering rejecting the car as we wanted the upgraded 2025, and that is what we thought we were buying.  What are your thoughts?” 

Fellow members had a few things to say about the dealer's practices, and it seems like a no-brainer what Ian should do. 

Colin says: “If you were told originally that it would be a 2025 car (which included the upgrades) then I would reject it if it were me... 

“Looking back at your original post, I would have smelt a rat right there...” 

Colin has a point. With goods deliveries (cars included) being slowed down, 11 days seems unrealistic when it comes to importing a brand-new car. Unless the car is already in stock. I have worked at a Toyota dealership and you don't see all the cars they have on offer, as some are hidden in a storage space,  usually somewhere nearby. My guess is that the dealer had an older 2024 showroom example they wanted to get rid of for the price of the new 2025 Yaris.

Also, showroom examples aren't always the most desired spec, which often prompts dealerships to compromise on the asking price. This is the same reason, we see base-model Toyota J250 Land Cruisers sold for under MSRP. It is not uncommon for such businesses to try to “hit two birds with one stone”. That way, the dealer will open showroom space for a new car without having to make “a good offer” to a prospective buyer who doesn't mind getting a 2024 model year.  

A case in point, I suspect, is another forum member, Cyker, who says: “Out of curiosity, what do you want that the 2025 has but the 2024 doesn't? 

It might be worth articulating those to the dealer (Most dealers seem to know little about the vehicles as it is - I'd be very surprised if they are aware of differences between different model years!)”. 

I am sure most people will agree that Ian's response is right: “I don't want to sound rude, but even it if only had one upgrade if you are buying a 2025 model, that is what one should get. “ 

How to prevent dealers from giving us the wrong car

The principle “You get what you pay for” should apply fully when buying a new car (or any commodity). The best course of action will be to reject the car and get your money back. After all, a contract requires a meeting of the mind. If you are in the US, the same principles apply.  

According to Honest John, you have every right to demand the correct car per your specification. You can also cancel the contract or negotiate a discount for getting the “wrong car”. Unfortunately, all these options would require you to compromise, either by not getting the exact specification you ordered or possibly waiting months for a replacement vehicle. 

I am curious to hear your thoughts and whether you have had a similar experience when purchasing a new car. Feel free to join the comment section below, and let us know what you would do in Ian's shoes.

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.

Image source: 2025 Toyota Yaris