GR Yaris Side Panel Fake Scratch

[ChuckyDoll]

Hello all, this is my first post.

I bought a second hand mk1 GR Yaris a few months ago from a dealer. Absolutely love the car, really pleased I got it.

For the life of me I do not know how I messed this. Either it was seamlessly blended in, or the excitement of getting the car just allowed a vague approval of the bodywork.
A couple of days ago, the sun was shining on my car, and I was still drooling over it when I noticed a scratch on the rear side panel.

Closer inspection and it appears to be a sticker. I don't believe the car has been resprayed so I assume Toyota themselves put it there. I checked the other side, and that also has a sticker in the same place.

My first thought was that all GR's have this. But I have trawled pics you have posted of your lovely cars and I think I am unique.

What do people think ? Is this something Toyota do at the factory to hide scratches ?
Is it something all your cars have, but blended in better than mine.

There's not really much I can do about it, other than feel sorry for myself and share it with a wider audience.

Thanks!

 

[GRavy_Baby]

Looks like a feeble attempt of a PPF stone chip guard that has polish around the edge. Use a cocktail stick to remove the polish around the edges then get some proper PPF guards off @Sticky / shytot graphics if you want something more substantial mate.

 

[Dav1d]

I think most cars came with it, from factory, mine did but I removed it on day 1 (think lots did hence lack of photos) and put some PPF on the arches from Sticky on here like GRavy_Baby suggests.

 

[workpermit]

All cars came with this from factory, but many have removed it as dirt builds up around it and it's hardly providing much protection. Mine came off when proper PPF was applied.

 

[GReeni]

As above, perfectly normal and I took mine off and put a bigger piece of ppf on the rear quarter to protect from rash.

 

[Fergus]

Standard, mine still has it on both sides.

 

[ChuckyDoll]

Thanks so much for the quick replies. So, Phew!, I haven't bought a duff car! I had no idea that was even a thing so thank you all for the information. I will sleep better tonight.
I will try cleaning it better first. I am reluctant to attempt to peel it off now as it's been there for 4 years if it is a standard thing. I did not notice it at all for the first few months that I had it but now that I have I cannot not see it. It just looks daft.
Thanks again!

 

[Neveragain]

I need to remove mine, they look proper crap with all the dirt in the edges on a white car.