2012 Toyota Yaris 1.3L Petrol · FG12 GYW

The 2012 Toyota Yaris holds a valid MOT certificate issued on 9 April 2026 at 48,067 miles, following a failure the previous day. The maintenance trend is broadly stable but shows a minor lapse in basic upkeep at the most recent test cycle. The 8 April 2026 failure identified two straightforward defects: a non-functioning windscreen washer system and tyre condition issues across all four wheels. Both were rectified before the pass the next day. Prior to this, the record is notably clean, with three consecutive passes in March 2023, March 2024, and March 2025, all with zero defects recorded. This suggests the vehicle has been reliably maintained, with only minor oversights surfacing at the latest inspection. The mileage accumulation is exceptionally low for a 14-year-old vehicle. Between the March 2023 test at 36,916 miles and the April 2026 test at 48,067 miles, the car covered just 11,151 miles over three years, averaging roughly 3,717 miles annually. The jump from 44,196 miles in March 2025 to 48,067 miles in April 2026 accounts for 3,871 miles in just over a year, which is consistent with light but regular use. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden spikes in the odometer record. The overall annualised average sits at approximately 3,433 miles, well below the typical UK annual mileage of around 7,000 to 8,000 miles. Such low usage can be a double-edged sword: while wear on drivetrain and braking components is reduced, prolonged periods of standing can cause perished rubber bushes, seized brake calipers, and deteriorated tyres, which is precisely what the record now reflects. The recurring advisory from the April 2026 test regarding tyre condition across all four wheels is the most telling finding. Tyre cracking and perishing on a vehicle that has covered fewer than 49,000 miles in 14 years points to age-related degradation rather than wear from use. Rubber compounds deteriorate with time regardless of tread depth, and a set of tyres that have aged out will need replacement even if the tread remains legal. A buyer should inspect the date codes stamped on each tyre sidewall to confirm their age and check whether the advisory tyres have since been replaced or remain on the vehicle. The windscreen washer defect from the failed test was minor and has been resolved, but it is worth confirming the system operates correctly and that the washer jets are not blocked, as this can indicate neglected fluid top-ups or the use of plain water in freezing conditions. Beyond the flagged items, a prospective buyer should pay close attention to the condition of suspension bushes, brake discs, and the underside for surface corrosion. Low-mileage vehicles that have spent extended periods stationary often develop dried and cracked rubber bushings, particularly on the front lower arms and rear trailing arms. Brake discs may show lipping or surface rust from short journeys that never bring the brakes to full operating temperature. A thorough inspection of the exhaust system for corrosion and the structural underbody for any signs of rust-through would be prudent, as age rather than mileage is the primary enemy here. The clean MOT history prior to April 2026 is reassuring, but the tyre advisory confirms that basic consumable checks were not kept current in the most recent ownership period.