2009 Toyota Yaris 1.4L Diesel · EY09 XPO

The 2009 Toyota Yaris presents a mixed roadworthiness picture shaped by recurring lighting system failures and intermittent suspension issues rather than a single dominant problem area. The most recent MOT on 2025-10-20 returned a pass with no defects recorded, followed by another failure just weeks earlier on 2025-10-10 where multiple major faults were noted. This pattern of alternating passes and fails over the past two years indicates persistent rather than progressive deterioration, with particular attention required to the electrical lighting circuitry and chassis components throughout the vehicle's lifetime. The latest successful test stands as a snapshot of current compliance, but the intervening failures suggest ongoing underlying issues that may require verification before committing to purchase. At 171,141 miles on a 17-year-old vehicle, the average annual mileage of approximately 10,067 miles places this car within the expected range for its age, though the distribution of wear is somewhat uneven. The gap between the 2024-2025 passing records and the series of failures in 2022-2024 suggests that while the car has held up reasonably well since mid-2024, the earlier cluster of problems—particularly the fractured offside front coil spring and the damaged anti-roll bar linkage—represent significant mechanical stress points. The absence of major failures in the last three months does not eliminate the risk associated with those earlier findings, especially given the time elapsed since their identification. A buyer should expect that high-mileage components such as the suspension bushings, coil springs, and anti-roll bar assembly may have accumulated noticeable wear that requires physical inspection regardless of the recent MOT result. The specific components flagged across multiple MOT entries demand close scrutiny during a test drive. The offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover showed deterioration in both 2024-10-24 and 2022-10-19, meaning dirt ingress could compromise the linkage's ability to maintain proper geometry under load. Listen for any clunking or knocking over potholes and pay particular attention to whether the vehicle feels stable through turns—the anti-roll bar assists cornering balance, and a worn unit may transmit vibration or cause subtle steering irregularities. The fractured offside front coil spring identified in 2025-10-10 represents a critical suspension element; if present, it could lead to abnormal ride quality and handling, so observe how the front end responds when accelerating hard or navigating bumps. Additionally, the repeated registration plate lamp failures indicate potential electrical gremlins in the lighting circuit that may recur if the wiring harness shows signs of degradation or poor connections at the bulb sockets and control unit. Finally, the tyre advisories recorded in 2022-2023 point toward possible lateral wear patterns that merit visual confirmation during the test drive. Inspect each tyre for uneven tread depth, particularly around the outer edges where cracking might already be present, and verify that the sidewall markings align with the recorded mileage to ensure no sudden acceleration in distance travelled. While the current mileage level is not extreme enough to immediately justify immediate replacement, the combination of tyre concerns and the previously documented suspension and lighting issues creates a scenario where deferred maintenance on these systems could compound over time. A practical approach would be to request a detailed inspection report covering the suspension mounts, coil spring integrity, anti-roll bar assembly, and complete electrical lighting circuit before finalising the purchase. If any of these components fail the road test or reveal hidden damage, the residual value of the vehicle will likely diminish significantly due to the cumulative nature of these mechanical issues.