Variable Valve Sensor Error

[Craig]

Good afternoon all.

I took my girlfriends car into a garage (Toyota Yaris, 02, Auto) after the engine warning light came on. The plugged it in, and came back to say that the error code it threw up means that it is something to do with the Variable Valve Timing. They have told me that they need to replace both the Variable Valve Pump and the Variable Valve Pump Sensor, at a cost of £200 plus labour. Howevey, when pressed, they also admitted that this may not clear the fault, so I should also consider changing oil and oil filters.

I am reluctant to pay in excess of £500 for them to do work which may or may not fix the problem.

Surely they can give me a better diagnostics than this, something a little more concrete than "probable... maybe" etc.

Has anyone else had this problem, is it dangerous to drive the car whilst this error code appears?

I am a complete novice when it come to repairs, diagnostics etc so any help / advice would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,

Craig