2017 Toyota Yaris 1.3L Petrol · AX66 CWL

A pattern of tyre and suspension wear advisories defines the mechanical character of this 2017 Toyota Yaris, with no fewer than three tyres flagged for cracking or perishing, bald edges, or exposed cords across the last two test cycles. The 2025 test is particularly notable: the nearside front tyre was deemed dangerous with cords exposed, resulting in a fail, while the offside front was already worn close to the legal limit and an alignment check was recommended. Front suspension components have also drawn attention, with both nearside and offside front suspension arm pins or bushes showing wear in the most recent 2026 test, and a deteriorated anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover noted in 2023. Earlier, light oil misting was recorded on the nearside front and rear shock absorbers during the 2022 inspection, and an ineffective front wiper caused a major defect failure that same year. The vehicle has nonetheless passed every annual test since, with the 2024 and 2022 retests both recording no defects, indicating that recurring issues have been addressed at the point of test but certain wear items keep surfacing at each cycle. With 64,789 miles accumulated over nine years, the Yaris has averaged approximately 7,200 miles annually, which sits squarely within the typical band for a vehicle of this age and segment. There are no significant gaps in the testing record, with annual MOTs recorded consecutively from 2021 through 2026, and the mileage progression between tests appears consistent and steady rather than suggesting long periods of inactivity or sudden, high-mileage use. This relatively uniform usage profile means wear should be evenly distributed across the drivetrain, braking system, and suspension, without the standing-still deterioration risks associated with extended lay-ups or the accelerated consumable wear that typically accompanies substantially higher annual mileages. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is a close inspection of the front suspension geometry, given the recurrence of arm bush wear and the previously deteriorated anti-roll bar linkage joint. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed bumps, uneven road surfaces, and during full-lock manoeuvres, as these are characteristic symptoms of worn lower arm bushes or tired anti-roll bar links. Pay particular attention to steering precision; any vagueness, wandering, or pulling to one side under braking could indicate that the alignment issue flagged in 2025 was either not rectified or has re-emerged through component wear. The car should also be examined on a ramp or with the wheels raised to check for any play in the front suspension arms, perished anti-roll bar link boots, and to confirm the condition of the shock absorbers, particularly the nearside pair where oil misting was previously noted. The tyre situation warrants serious attention, as three tyres showed cracking or perishing on the 2026 test and a dangerous cord-exposed tyre was recorded just over a year earlier. Inspect all four tyres for age-related sidewall cracking, tread depth, and uneven wear patterns, particularly on the front axle where inner or outer edge wear would suggest persistent alignment or suspension geometry issues. The brake system should be checked for binding or uneven pad deposition, especially given the worn tyre edges that may indicate the vehicle has been scrubbing under cornering or braking. Finally, verify that the front wiper mechanism is operating correctly and clearing the screen effectively, as this was the cause of a major defect failure in 2022, and confirm there are no fresh oil weeps from the front and rear shock absorbers during a cold-start visual inspection beneath the vehicle.