2010 Toyota Aygo 1.0L Petrol · FD59 FGE

A pattern of corrosion-related brake and rear suspension deterioration dominates the mechanical profile of this 2010 Toyota Aygo. Across six recorded tests spanning 2021 to 2026, the vehicle has accumulated two failures and a steady stream of advisories, with both failures linked to structural corrosion rather than wear items. The earliest recorded test in February 2021 flagged both rear brake pipes as corroded to the extent that grease or other material had been applied to the flexible sections, a typical stop-gap measure when steel brake lines begin to surface corrode. By February 2022, those same rear pipes had deteriorated to the point of failing the test on major defect grounds, with the offside front-to-rear run and both rear sections all deemed excessively corroded. The February 2026 test produced another failure, this time for both rear suspension component mounting prescribed areas being excessively corroded at the axle mounting, which significantly reduced structural strength. These are not isolated events; they reflect an ongoing corrosion trajectory affecting both the braking hydraulic system and the rear axle structure. The most recent outcome on 27 February 2026 was a pass, but it carries an advisory for nearside front tyre wear close to the legal limit on the edge, and the failure two weeks earlier demonstrates how thin the margin between pass and fail currently sits. The recorded mileage of 32,365 miles across sixteen years equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 2,023 miles, which is notably low for the age and class of vehicle. There are no extended gaps in the testing record, with annual tests consistently performed in February each year, suggesting the car has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for long periods. Low annual mileage of this nature generally reduces wear on internal combustion components, clutches, and major drivetrain parts, but it does not arrest the corrosion process that has clearly taken hold underneath. In fact, low-mileage urban cars frequently suffer disproportionately from underbody corrosion because short journeys do not allow the chassis and brake lines to dry out thoroughly after exposure to winter road salt and damp conditions. The recurring rear axle and brake line defects observed here are consistent with this usage profile rather than running gear wear from high mileage. Given the recurring underbody corrosion flagged at recent tests, any prospective buyer should carry out a close visual and physical inspection of the rear axle mounting areas, the longitudinal brake pipes running front to rear along the chassis, and the flexible sections at each wheel arch. On a test drive, listen carefully for any knocking or clonking from the rear suspension over uneven road surfaces, particularly across speed humps and potholes, as corroded axle mountings can allow the beam to shift under load and produce audible slack. The brake pedal should feel firm and progressive with no sponginess or excessive travel, and the car should pull up straight under firm pedal application; any judder, pulling to one side, or a noticeably low pedal could indicate further brake pipe deterioration or seized caliper slides that the MOT inspection would not necessarily have picked up. Inspect the front nearside tyre closely for uneven shoulder wear consistent with the advisory, and check all four tyres for age-related sidewall cracking given the vehicle's standing time between uses. The overall condition of the rear shock absorbers should also be examined, as the 2025 test recorded an advisory for slight external damage and light corrosion to the casings. With sixteen years of service and known rear axle corrosion, the dampers themselves may be nearing the end of their effective life, which would typically present as continued bouncing after hitting a bump, excessive body roll through corners, or a clunking noise on full compression. Finally, the stop lamp failure noted in February 2026 should be verified as rectified, and all rear light functions including the fog lamp and number plate illumination should be checked at the point of inspection, as electrical faults on older vehicles often recur once they begin. The combination of structural corrosion advisories and a low-mileage usage pattern means a pre-purchase inspection on a ramp is strongly advisable before committing to purchase.