2002 Toyota Yaris 1.0L Petrol · DP02 TYE

The 2002 Toyota Yaris presents a stable and improving maintenance trend, culminating in a clean pass on 24 June 2025 at 120,029 miles with zero defects recorded. The preceding test on 3 July 2024 at 119,131 miles also passed with no advisories or failures, confirming a consistent pattern of full compliance across the most recent two MOT cycles. A single failed test on 15 July 2023 at 107,641 miles shows no recorded defects, suggesting the failure may have been administrative or related to a documentation issue rather than a mechanical fault, as the car passed cleanly just two days later on 17 July 2023 at 107,804 miles. The overall trajectory is one of reliable upkeep with no recurring defects. The mileage accumulation tells a clear story of very light use. Between 17 July 2023 and 3 July 2024, the car covered approximately 11,327 miles in just under twelve months, a notable spike compared to the longer-term average of roughly 5,001 miles per year over its twenty-four-year life. Prior to that, the annual mileage was considerably lower, with only 7,484 miles added between 20 July 2022 and 15 July 2023. The jump in 2023-2024 suggests a change in ownership or usage pattern, possibly a new keeper who began driving the car more frequently. Despite this increase, the MOT record shows no corresponding rise in defects, which is a positive indicator of mechanical resilience. The complete absence of advisories or failures across all recorded tests is unusual for a vehicle of this age and suggests attentive ownership. However, the low annual mileage and the period of potentially prolonged standing before 2023 raise specific concerns a buyer should investigate in person. Extended periods of inactivity can cause brake calipers to seize, tyres to develop flat spots or perished sidewalls, and rubber suspension bushes and exhaust components to deteriorate from age rather than wear. The braking system, suspension mountings, and all rubber hoses and seals deserve close physical inspection regardless of the clean paperwork. A prospective buyer should also examine the underside for structural corrosion, particularly around sills, subframes, and suspension mounting points, as twenty-four-year-old steel is vulnerable even on low-mileage cars that have sat stationary. The exhaust system should be checked for corrosion-related leaks, and the condition of all tyres, including the spare, should be verified for date codes and cracking. The clean MOT history is encouraging, but age-related degradation on a car averaging barely five thousand miles annually demands a thorough hands-on assessment rather than reliance on test records alone.