2020 Toyota Aygo 1.0L Petrol · DP70 LCU

The defining mechanical story for this 2020 Toyota Aygo is a sudden and concentrated front suspension and braking issue that broke an otherwise clean record. Across three previous test attempts in 2023 and 2024 the vehicle passed with no defects recorded, establishing a baseline of roadworthiness. That continuity ended on 2025-10-29 with a failure attributed to heavily worn front brake discs on both inner and outer faces, front brake pads worn down to their wear indicators, and a nearside front inner suspension arm pin or bush that had progressed from serviceable to excessively worn. Just six days later on 2025-11-04 the same vehicle passed, with the failed brake components clearly replaced, but two advisories remained on the record: persistent light oil misting from the offside front shock absorber, and continued wear on the offside front inner suspension arm pin or bush. The pattern indicates that wear accumulated silently over the vehicle's life and surfaced abruptly as the consumable and rubber components reached the end of their effective service interval. At 31,120 miles over six years the Aygo has covered roughly 5,187 miles per year, which is notably low for the model and its age bracket. Such modest annual accumulation reduces wear on major drivetrain and engine components but also means the vehicle may have experienced periods of irregular use, with standing time allowing moisture to settle in the braking system and rubber elements to age without the benefit of regular working cycles. The absence of recorded tests between October 2024 and October 2025 is not unusual given the vehicle only became MOT testable in its fourth year, but the sudden appearance of multiple major defects within that single testing window points to components that were ageing in the background during low-mileage operation rather than wearing through normal use. Mechanically, this suggests that despite the modest odometer reading, the suspension and braking consumables had reached the end of their effective lifespan and required intervention. For a prospective buyer the priority on inspection is the front suspension and braking system, since these are the components that have already demanded attention. The offside front shock absorber showing light oil misting is a developing fault that does not yet fail the test but indicates the damper seal is beginning to degrade; on a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the front end over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, and pay particular attention to whether the vehicle settles unevenly or continues to oscillate after a sharp press on the front wing. The offside front inner suspension arm pin or bush should also be carefully evaluated, as it is now showing wear on both recorded 2025 tests; any knocking, vague steering response, or tyre wear unevenness across the front axle would suggest the bush has deteriorated further since the advisory was issued. Inspect the inner faces of both front tyres for feathering or stepped wear patterns, and check for any play when the steering is loaded corner to corner with the wheel raised. The braking system warrants equally close scrutiny, given that both front discs were rejected as significantly worn in October 2025. Confirm whether new discs and pads have been fitted and whether the caliper carriers were cleaned and the slide pins checked for free movement, as seized caliper pins are a common reason for uneven pad wear returning quickly. On a test drive, the pedal should feel firm and progressive with no judder under braking, and the vehicle should pull up in a straight line without any steering pull to either side. Given the 2025 advisories and the low annual mileage, it is also worth verifying that the tyres are within their date stamping and that the underbody, particularly the front subframe mounting points, shows no surface corrosion beyond what is typical for a six-year-old vehicle. A post-repair inspection by a competent technician, with the vehicle raised to allow visual confirmation of the front suspension components and a brake disc thickness measurement, would be a prudent step before purchase.