2009 Toyota Auris 1.3L Petrol · EO09 FDG

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a shift toward age-related material degradation. While the car achieved three clean passes between 2023 and 2025, the most recent test in March 2026 at 59,421 miles resulted in a failure due to a nearside rear stop lamp and corrosion on both rear brake pipes. The presence of general underside corrosion noted in this latest inspection indicates that the structural integrity is beginning to succumb to environmental factors despite the low mileage. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a seventeen-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 3,500 miles per year. Between March 2023 and March 2026, the car covered only 7,617 miles, suggesting a consistent pattern of minimal use or long storage periods. This low usage often implies less mechanical wear on the engine and drivetrain components, but it frequently correlates with the accelerated aging of rubber-based parts and the oxidation of metal surfaces due to a lack of heat airflow and airflow typically generated by regular driving. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the chassis to assess the extent of the general corrosion flagged in March 2026. The tester specifically identified corroded brake pipes covered in grease, which is a common tactic to mask surface rust from the tester; these lines require close inspection to ensure no thinning. Attention should also be paid to the suspension bushes and brake hoses for cracking or perished, as these components often degrade over time regardless of the distance driven. The recent failure of the stop lamp is a minor electrical oversight, but it highlights that basic preventative checks may have been neglected prior to the MOT appointment.