2010 Toyota Yaris 1.3L Petrol · AV10 VRY

A persistent and unresolved emissions warning lamp issue dominates the mechanical history of this 2010 Toyota Yaris, having triggered a fail on three separate occasions. The most recent test on 19 January 2026 produced both a Pass and a simultaneous Fail recorded on the same date, the failure again attributed to an inoperative or malfunctioning engine MIL (8.2.1.2 (h)). The identical defect reappeared at the January 2025 and January 2023 tests, with the intervening 2024 cycle failing instead on a front position lamp and a registration plate lamp. Each Pass was recorded on the same date as its corresponding Fail, indicating that the failures were addressed at the test centre on the day of inspection rather than representing a delayed return to compliance. The recurrence of the engine management warning lamp across multiple years points to a chronic fault that has not been permanently rectified, and a prospective buyer should treat this as the defining mechanical risk of the vehicle. With sixteen years on the road and 123,936 miles recorded, the vehicle accumulates roughly 7,746 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a car of its age and platform. Annual MOT records have been captured consistently every January since at least 2023, with no significant gaps in the testing history, suggesting the vehicle has remained in regular use rather than undergoing any extended period off the road. Mileage therefore appears to be an honest reflection of sustained driving, which is relevant because an older Yaris of this profile will commonly show wear to consumables, suspension components, and exhaust hardware proportional to its mileage. The absence of recorded advisory items across the visible test history is unusual for a vehicle approaching 124,000 miles, but this simply reflects what the tester chose to record rather than the underlying mechanical state. Given the recurring engine MIL failures, particular attention should be directed to the vehicle's emissions and engine management systems before purchase. Request evidence of any diagnostic trouble codes that were cleared to secure each subsequent Pass, and ask whether the catalyst, lambda sensors, evaporative system, or any underlying sensor faults have been investigated and rectified. A test drive should include steady cruise and acceleration to observe whether the warning lamp remains extinguished under load, and the dashboard should be inspected with the ignition on to confirm the MIL illuminates during the bulb check sequence before the engine starts. Any hesitation, misfire, or re-illumination of the management light during the drive would warrant further investigation. Beyond the emissions concern, the 2024 lighting failures should be cross-checked, ensuring all front position lamps and both registration plate lamps function reliably, as intermittent bulb or wiring faults can resurface. With mileage now well into six figures, a thorough inspection of the underbody is advisable, paying particular attention to the rear suspension beam, coil springs, exhaust hangers, and any signs of corrosion around the wheel arches and jacking points, although none of these were formally flagged. Brake feel should be tested for judder or pulling, and the clutch for slipping under high load, as these wear items would be expected at this mileage even though they were not recorded. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan combined with a road test of sufficient duration to confirm the MIL stays off would be the most prudent step before committing to purchase.