2018 Toyota Aygo 1.0L Petrol · FE68 LMF

A Toyota Aygo of this vintage with exposed tyre cords on both front wheels at the previous test, alongside a handbrake with excessive reserve travel, defines this car's recent mechanical narrative far more than its later clean pass. The September 2025 test resulted in a pass with no failures, but three advisories were issued, two of which flagged wear in the front anti-roll bar linkage pins or bushes on both sides, and a third noting that the front brake pads are wearing thin. Anti-roll bar linkage wear at both sides appearing simultaneously is consistent with a component reaching a service interval rather than an isolated failure, and the thinning front brake pads suggest friction material is approaching the limit set at the previous test. While the vehicle is currently roadworthy, the advisory pattern indicates that suspension and braking components are now due for attention. The recorded mileage of 34,851 miles over approximately eight years equates to around 4,356 miles annually, which is low for the vehicle's age. This relatively gentle rate of accumulation reduces wear on major drivetrain components and suggests the car has likely seen a mix of shorter urban trips rather than sustained high-speed motorway use, which is typical for an Aygo of this generation. The MOT history shows annual testing from 2021 onwards with no significant gaps, confirming continuous use on the road during that period. Lower annual mileage does mean that age-related deterioration of rubber components, brake discs, and underbody corrosion protection remains a relevant consideration even where outright wear is modest. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection items are the front suspension and braking system flagged in the 2025 advisories. On a test drive, listen for clonking or rattling noises from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, particularly over the nearside and offside front corners where the anti-roll bar linkages were noted as worn; any excess movement in the anti-roll bar will also produce vagueness during quick direction changes. The front brake pads should be physically inspected for remaining friction material thickness, as the advisory suggests they may now be at or below 2 to 3 millimetres, and the brake discs should be checked for lipping, scoring, or surface corrosion given the vehicle's low mileage, which can lead to disc pitting from infrequent heavy braking. The handbrake reserve travel issue recorded at the 2024 failure should be verified by applying the handbrake on an incline to confirm it holds securely with reasonable lever travel. The September 2024 tyre failure is also worth examining directly. Both front tyres were recorded as having exposed plies or cords, which is a dangerous defect indicating they were well beyond legal limits, and the rear tyres were simultaneously showing cracking and perishing. All four tyres should be checked for manufacturing date, tread depth across the full width, and any sidewall cracking or bulging, as the pattern suggests the tyres fitted at that time may have been aged. With the current odometer reading and the components flagged, this Aygo presents as roadworthy for immediate use but warrants budgeting for front brake pads, anti-roll bar linkage replacement, and a fresh set of tyres within the near term.