2003 TOYOTA MR21.8L Petrol

The vehicle presents a concerning history of structural corrosion and deferred mechanical maintenance despite its low mileage. The most recent test in February 2025 at 82,512 miles passed, but only after a failure just three weeks prior. That failure highlighted critical braking issues, including a leaking offside rear hydraulic caliper and inoperative parking brake efficiency. While the braking system was addressed, the recurring presence of a steering column universal joint with play, noted in every test from 2023 through 2025, suggests a pattern where minor mechanical faults are only rectified when they trigger a test failure. At 23 years old, the car has covered only 82,512 miles, averaging fewer than 3,600 miles per year. This low usage likely correlates with the significant oxidation issues documented throughout the record. The history shows a worsening trend of structural degradation, moving from minor corrosion on suspension mounting points to the offside front sub-frame being flagged as seriously weakened in November 2022. By 2023, the tester noted the underside and all suspension components were heavily corroded. The fact that the vehicle is heavily undersealed as of 2025 indicates an attempt to mask this progression, but the underlying structural integrity remains a primary risk. Consumable maintenance appears been neglected by previous owners. Tyres are consistently flagged as worn to the legal limit or showing uneven edge wear, notably with an offside rear tyre having exposed cords in 2021. The braking system has also suffered from neglect, with recorded binding calipers, thin pads, and pitted discs across multiple years. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the sub-frame and suspension mounting points to ensure the reported corrosion has not progressed beyond the point of structural failure.