2015 Toyota Yaris 1.3L Petrol · FA15 AAC

The most recent MOT test on 1 July 2026 returned a pass with no defects recorded, and this is corroborated by the clean pass at the previous test on 26 June 2025, suggesting that the vehicle is currently being maintained to a satisfactory roadworthy standard. Looking at the broader five-test history, the trend is largely stable but with a notable cluster of advisories at the November 2024 retest, which followed a failure recorded the day before for an illuminated Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicating an airbag or pretensioner fault. The failure was rectified sufficiently to pass on the immediate retest, and no recurrence of the SRS issue has been logged since, which is reassuring, though it is worth establishing exactly what remedial work was carried out and whether any diagnostic trouble codes remain present. The concentration of advisories around tyres, a brake cable, and suspension bushes at the same inspection suggests a period of under-maintenance that has since been addressed, but those wear items warrant close physical inspection during any viewings. With 58,062 miles recorded over an 11-year life, this Yaris has covered an average of roughly 5,278 miles annually, which is well below typical usage and points to either a predominantly short-journey, low-mileage second car or significant periods of standing. Light annual use reduces wear on major drivetrain components such as the engine, clutch, and gearbox internals, but it accelerates calendar-related degradation in items that deteriorate with age rather than use. Rubber components, brake hydraulic systems, coolant, and the 12V battery are all subject to time-based failure modes, so it is prudent to verify the age of the battery, the date of the last coolant and brake fluid renewal, and whether the vehicle has been serviced on a time basis rather than solely on mileage intervals. Standing for prolonged periods also encourages brake disc corrosion and caliper slider seizing, so the discs should be examined for surface rust and the handbrake mechanism checked for effectiveness on inclines. On a physical inspection, the advisory history from November 2024 should be the primary focus. The nearside and offside front tyres plus the nearside rear tyre were all flagged for slight cracking or perishing, and tyre sidewall rubber hardens and fractures with age irrespective of tread depth, so all four tyres should be closely examined for hairline cracks, especially on the sidewalls and between tread blocks; perished tyres compromise grip, particularly in wet conditions, and a full set may now be required. The nearside rear brake cable was noted as damaged but not to excess, meaning the outer casing or sheath is worn but the inner cable is still functional; this should be inspected for corrosion, fraying, or binding, and the rear brake actuation checked for even response on a test drive, listening for any scraping or uneven pulling. The suspension arm pin or bush wear noted on both sides at the front, including rear bushes, is a common advisory on a vehicle of this age and mileage; during a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, and check for uneven front tyre wear which would indicate worn bushes allowing geometry disturbance. Beyond the advisory items, supplementary checks appropriate to an eleven-year-old low-mileage car should include a thorough examination of all coolant and brake pipes for surface corrosion, particularly around the underbody and wheel arch areas, as rust perforation is a common MOT failure point on vehicles that have endured British winters. The exhaust system should be inspected for rusting at the mounting points, joints, and silencer, as exhaust components degrade with age and road salt exposure. The engine oil and transmission fluid should be checked for condition and appropriate levels, and evidence of regular annual servicing should be confirmed through the service book or digital history, regardless of the low mileage. Finally, the Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp failure from late 2024 warrants confirmation that the airbag system has been professionally scanned and cleared, and ideally a current diagnostic readout showing no active or stored fault codes, as intermittent airbag faults can reappear and would represent a significant safety concern.