2016 Toyota Yaris 1.3L Petrol · FD16 HXA

This Toyota Yaris has demonstrated a stable but inconsistent roadworthiness record, with the most recent MOT test on 9 April 2026 failing—though without any recorded defects—suggesting the failure was likely procedural or administrative rather than mechanical. The previous four tests, spanning from April 2023 to April 2025, all passed without advisories, indicating no recurring faults were formally noted by the tester. However, the abrupt failure in April 2026, just five months before the current date, raises questions about whether the vehicle was driven to the test in a non-standard condition or if the tester overlooked subtle issues. The absence of defects in all five tests implies that if mechanical problems exist, they were either minor, intermittent, or not detectable under standard MOT criteria. The mileage progression of 8,540 miles annually aligns with typical usage for a vehicle of this age, though the gap between the April 2026 failure and today’s date—just three months—suggests the car has not been recently tested. The most significant anomaly is the near-identical mileage between the April 2023 failure (68,211 miles) and pass (68,307 miles), a difference of just 196 miles, which is highly unusual for an MOT retest. This could indicate the vehicle was either not driven between tests or the failure was not mechanical in nature. No extended periods of inactivity are evident, and there are no sudden spikes in mileage to suggest aggressive driving or neglect. Given the lack of recorded defects, a buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of high-wear components that often fall outside MOT scrutiny, such as suspension bushes and coil springs for excessive play or corrosion, particularly in the wheel arches and sills. The brakes, while not flagged in MOTs, should be checked for uneven wear or binding calipers, as repeated failures without defects could hint at underlying issues like warped discs or degraded linings. Corrosion in the subframe, sills, or exhaust system—common in this age range—should also be examined, as should the integrity of the exhaust system for leaks or cracked pipes, which may not always trigger a fail but can affect emissions and structural stability. Finally, the battery and electrical connections should be inspected, as intermittent failures or test anomalies could stem from faulty wiring or a failing alternator.