2016 Toyota Aygo 1.0L Petrol · AL56 HBA

The most recent DVSA examination on 2 March 2026 resulted in a pass with no advisories or defects recorded, and the two prior tests in January 2026 and January 2025 also passed cleanly. The most recent pass clean sheet of advisories indicates a stable maintenance picture at the point of current roadworthiness inspection, although the record from 2022 to 2023 reveals a cluster of issues that should not be dismissed simply because subsequent tests were clean. The 2022 fail for an excessively worn offside front anti-roll bar linkage, accompanied by an advisory on the nearside front equivalent, points to a period when the suspension was nearing the end of its service life. Similarly, the advisory on perished or damaged offside rear tyre in September 2023 and the nearside rear tyre edge wear advisory in 2022 both reflect consumable conditions that would have been addressed at the time of test but are worth tracing to confirm the quality of subsequent replacements. The fact that no suspension or tyre advisories have reappeared in the more recent tests suggests these components have been renewed and are presently sound. The vehicle is now ten years old with a recorded 69,480 miles, equating to a broadly average annual mileage of around 6,948 miles. This is consistent with typical light urban or commuter use for a Toyota Aygo of this generation, and the absence of any significant gaps in the MOT history suggests the car has been in continuous use rather than left standing for prolonged periods. That said, low annual mileage of this nature, combined with the vehicle's age, introduces a particular set of age-related deterioration concerns that are not always visible on an MOT record. Brake discs, for example, can develop surface corrosion and calliper sliders can seize through infrequent operation, while coolant, brake fluid, and transmission oil will degrade on a calendar basis regardless of distance covered. A ten year old car with average mileage should be expected to have had a cambelt or timing chain inspection, a full brake fluid renewal, and ideally a replacement 12 volt battery within the last three to five years. Given the anti-roll bar wear flagged in 2022, a prospective buyer should pay close attention to the front suspension on a test drive. Listen for any clonking or knocking over speed humps, rough roads, or during sharp low-speed turns, and feel for vagueness or imprecise steering response that could suggest worn bushes or linkages not yet at MOT failure threshold. Inspect the nearside and offside front tyres for uneven inner or outer shoulder wear, which would indicate geometry or suspension component issues, and check that the rear tyres fitted are matched in brand, size, and tread depth, as a recent replacement following the 2023 advisory is probable. Examine the rubber boots on the front strut assemblies and anti-roll bar drop links for any splits or grease weeping, and visually inspect the underside for any oil residue from the steering rack or front struts. Beyond the suspension focus, the age and modest mileage profile of this Aygo demands careful attention to time-served components. Check the production date code on all four tyres, as a ten year old vehicle may still be running age-hardened rubber even if the tread depth appears adequate, looking for cracking on the sidewalls and between the tread blocks that indicates perishing. Verify the service book history to confirm regular oil and filter changes at appropriate intervals, and request evidence of cambelt replacement if applicable to the engine variant, as this is a major service item on age rather than mileage. Inspect the brake calipers for signs of seizing or uneven pad wear, examine the exhaust system for corrosion at the mounting points and joints, and check the coolant and brake fluid condition. Finally, confirm the battery is of recent manufacture, as a ten year old original unit would be well beyond its reliable service life, and ensure the cooling system has been flushed within the last few years to prevent internal corrosion and water pump failure.