2007 Toyota Yaris 1.4L Diesel · AF07 JXM

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 2007 Toyota Yaris was conducted on 9 March 2026, resulting in a Pass, though five advisories were issued concerning both nearside and offside headlamp lenses showing a product on them that does not yet seriously reduce light output, slight play in the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, and corrosion on both nearside and offside rear brake pipes that are covered in grease or another material. Evaluating the overall maintenance trend, the vehicle has passed every annual test since 2021 with no re-test failures, which demonstrates a degree of compliance; however, the accumulating advisory list over the past four tests points to a progressive deterioration of certain components. The repeated brake pipe corrosion advisories across multiple years, alongside deteriorating anti-roll bar linkage components and tyre wear advisories, suggest that while the car remains roadworthy, several wear items are approaching or have already reached the end of their service life. The trend is therefore best characterised as stable in terms of outright test outcomes but gradually worsening in terms of component condition, which warrants careful attention from a prospective buyer. The recorded mileage of 127,880 miles over approximately 19 years equates to an annual usage of around 6,731 miles, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and indicates consistent rather than extreme use. The MOT history shows annual testing from 2021 onwards with no significant gaps in the recorded pattern, suggesting the vehicle has been in regular use and has not been left standing for long periods, which is generally favourable for preventing the sort of calendar-based degradation seen in low-mileage or stored vehicles. That said, at nearly 128,000 miles, the Yaris will have consumed several sets of tyres, brake pads, and possibly brake discs, and components such as the exhaust system, clutch, and timing chain (if applicable to this variant) will be operating well into their expected wear windows. The mileage alone does not raise immediate concerns, but it does place the vehicle firmly in the territory where age-related rubber and plastic deterioration becomes a significant factor alongside mechanical wear. Given the recurring advisories relating to brake pipe corrosion across the front and rear of the vehicle, a prospective buyer should physically inspect the entire brake pipework, particularly along the underside of the car where it runs along chassis rails and chassis outriggers, as corrosion in these areas can progress to perforation and represent both an MOT failure risk and a serious safety concern. Brake pipes covered in grease as noted in the advisories will eventually corrode beneath that coating, so any signs of bubbling, flaking, or rust lifting on the pipes themselves should be treated as an immediate negotiation point or repair requirement. On a test drive, the buyer should listen for any squealing, grinding, or pulsation through the brake pedal, and check that the vehicle pulls up straight under firm braking, as corroded flexi hoses were the subject of a dangerous failure in 2023 and the rear brake pipe corrosion has been flagged repeatedly since at least 2022. The nearside rear brake flexi hose join was specifically identified as leaking, and whilst that has presumably been rectified to pass subsequent tests, a thorough inspection of all flexible hoses for cracking, swelling, or weeping is essential given the vehicle's age. The advisories concerning anti-roll bar linkage ball joint play and dust cover deterioration, combined with the previously fractured offside front coil spring flagged as a major failure in 2023, indicate that the front suspension is a known weak point on this vehicle and should be inspected with particular care. On a test drive, listen for clonking or rattling noises over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, and during sharp cornering, as these are classic symptoms of worn anti-roll bar drop links, ball joints, and worn bushes. Uneven tyre wear, particularly on the inner or outer edges as flagged in previous advisories, is another strong indicator of suspension component wear or misalignment and should prompt a request for a four-wheel alignment check. Beyond the items flagged in the MOT history, a 19-year-old Yaris with average mileage should also be inspected for age-related deterioration including tyre sidewall perishing and cracking even where tread depth remains legal, exhaust system corrosion particularly at the box and rear silencer joints, 12V battery health and its date code, and the condition of all coolant, brake fluid, and engine oil with reference to service history to confirm timely fluid changes. The headlamp lens haziness noted in the most recent test will only worsen with time and may warrant restoration or replacement to maintain effective illumination, and verifying that the service book contains evidence of regular cambelt and water pump replacement at the manufacturer-specified interval is essential on a vehicle of this age and mileage.