2012 Toyota Auris 1.8L Hybrid electric (clean) · FE12 CWC

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 2012 Toyota Auris took place on 16 October 2025 and resulted in a pass, although the same date also shows a prior fail submission that was subsequently cleared. The pass carries two advisories relating to a defective offside rear exhaust mounting and front registration plate deterioration, plus a nearside rear tyre noted as slightly damaged or perishing. More significantly, two minor items were recorded concerning the front suspension arm ball joint dust cover and the track rod end ball joint dust cover, both sides, which although not failure items do indicate that protective rubber gaiters are deteriorating. The earlier fail on the same date flagged a dangerous nearside front tyre with structural separation, a major offside rear stop lamp defect, and repeated the minor ball joint dust cover issue. Looking back through the history, the failures recorded in October 2024, October 2023, and December 2022 were all relatively minor, comprising a headlamp aim issue, a non-functioning dipped beam, and an ineffective wiper respectively, all of which were rectified and allowed the vehicle to pass on the same day or shortly after. The overall pattern suggests a vehicle that is generally maintained to a pass standard but is beginning to show the kind of age-related wear that produces advisories and minor defects rather than clean bills of health. Recorded mileage stands at 97,114 miles across approximately 14 years, which equates to an average annual usage of around 6,937 miles. This is broadly typical for a car of this age and indicates that the Auris has been in regular rather than excessive service, meaning that mechanical wear from high mileage accumulation is less of a concern. However, the MOT history provided only spans from late 2022 onward, and mileage gaps between tests appear modest and consistent, suggesting no prolonged periods of standing or, conversely, any unusual mileage spikes. A typical usage profile of this nature generally means that consumables such as brake pads, discs, tyres, and the timing chain or auxiliary drive belts will have been exercised reasonably regularly, reducing the likelihood of seizure or premature degradation, though age-related deterioration of rubber and plastic components remains a factor regardless of mileage. For a prospective buyer, the recurring advisories on exhaust mounting and tyre perishing warrant close physical inspection. The offside rear exhaust mounting defect should be examined by hand to confirm whether the rubber hanger has cracked through or simply perished at its edges, as a broken mounting will allow the exhaust to sag, potentially contacting the underbody or heat shield and producing an audible rattle or clonking over bumps. The nearside rear tyre should be inspected for sidewall cracking and tread depth, and all four tyres should be checked for age-related per.