2018 Toyota Yaris 1.5L Petrol · CP67 DFG

A recurring theme of brake and tyre wear advisories defines the mechanical history of this 2018 Toyota Yaris, even though the vehicle has passed every MOT test on record. Across five consecutive tests spanning 2020 through 2025, the most recent pass on 11 December 2025 was accompanied by a deteriorated rear registration plate advisory, while the December 2022 test produced a cluster of items that warrant attention. That 2022 examination flagged front brake discs as worn, pitted, or scored on both sides, a TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) warning light illuminated on the dashboard, a front tyre recorded as obviously under-inflated, and both a nearside rear and nearside front tyre noted as worn close to the legal limit at 3mm tread depth. The intermittent nature of these advisories suggests components reaching the end of their functional life on a cyclical basis rather than a systemic deterioration, but a prospective buyer should treat each flagged area as a near-term replacement candidate rather than a historical footnote. The recorded odometer reading of 16,784 miles against an eight-year vehicle age equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 2,100 miles, which is notably below average for a car of this type and era. There are no extended gaps in the testing history, with annual MOTs recorded consecutively from December 2020 through December 2025, indicating the vehicle has remained in continuous use rather than being laid up for prolonged periods. The mileage progression between tests is consistent with short, low-intensity journeys, which has mechanical implications specific to this Yaris. Brake discs and pads are particularly susceptible to corrosion under low-mileage conditions, as infrequent use allows surface rust and pitting to develop without the regular friction of longer drives to keep the rotor faces clean. Equally, tyres on a lightly used urban vehicle often exhibit uneven shoulder wear or edge wear rather than uniform central tread loss, and under-inflation symptoms can present sooner on cars that sit for extended periods between drives. A test drive should focus closely on the braking system, given the 2022 advisory concerning both front discs. Listen for any grinding, scraping, or rhythmic squealing from the front wheels during light application, and feel for vibration or pulsation through the brake pedal, which would suggest the discs have worn beyond their service limit or developed excessive runout. On a quiet stretch of road, apply the brakes firmly from around 40 mph and check for any pulling to one side, which can indicate a binding caliper or uneven pad transfer on a car that has seen limited use. Inspect the front discs visually through the wheel spokes for a pronounced lip at the outer edge, deep scoring marks across the friction surface, or any blueing of the metal that would confirm overheating has occurred. The tyre advisories from 2022 also deserve direct attention at the point of inspection. Check the current tread depth on all four tyres with a calibrated gauge, paying particular attention to the nearside pair which were previously recorded at the legal threshold, and look for uneven wear patterns across the shoulder and central tread that would suggest persistent under-inflation or misalignment. Confirm the TPMS warning light extinguishes once tyre pressures are corrected, as a persistent illumination could indicate a faulty sensor rather than simply a pressure issue. Given the low annual mileage, it is also worth starting the vehicle from cold and listening for any timing chain rattle, hesitation, or irregular idle that can develop on engines subjected primarily to short journeys without reaching full operating temperature. Finally, examine the rear number plate area for the deterioration noted at the most recent test, as a replacement may be required to satisfy legal requirements at the next examination.