2016 Toyota Auris 1.8L Hybrid electric · FG66 OGL

A pattern of front and rear brake wear has emerged as the defining mechanical concern on this 2016 Toyota Auris, with three of the last four recorded tests flagging pitted or scored brake discs and thinning pads at both axles. The trajectory worsened sharply on the 2026-04-21 inspection, where dangerously worn front and rear inner brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick were identified alongside a missing nearside front wheel nut with a broken stud and an inoperative nearside stop lamp, causing a failed test. A pass was secured the following day on 2026-04-22 once the dangerous items were presumably addressed, though the front brake disc advisory remained, indicating the discs themselves were not replaced. Prior to this cluster, a clean pass was recorded on 2024-11-07 with no advisories, suggesting the brake deterioration accelerated between late 2024 and early 2026 rather than reflecting a long-standing, gradual decline. Mileage accumulation on this Auris is notably high for a ten-year-old vehicle, with 190,458 recorded miles translating to approximately 19,046 miles per year, well above the typical 7,000 to 10,000 mile annual average. The 2024-11-07 test sits roughly fifteen months before the 2026 cluster of inspections, and given the elevated usage rate, that gap is consistent with the vehicle continuing in regular service rather than any period of inactivity. Such sustained high-mileage running places proportionately greater wear on the braking system, suspension bushes, coil springs, engine mounts, clutch assembly (if manual), and drivetrain components, all of which will accumulate fatigue faster than on a lower-mileage equivalent. The absence of any advisories on the 2024 test followed by a sudden cluster of brake and lamp defects in early 2026 is consistent with components reaching the end of their service life under heavy use. For a prospective buyer, the priority is establishing exactly what remedial work was carried out between the 2026-04-21 failure and the 2026-04-22 pass, and whether any of those repairs remain under warranty. On a test drive, listen for any metallic grinding or squealing from the brakes, which could indicate the front discs were not replaced despite their pitted and scored condition, and feel for pedal judder or vibration under firm braking that would suggest the disc surfaces remain uneven. Check that all five wheel nuts are present and correctly torqued on the nearside front wheel, and inspect the stud threads for damage from the reported breakage. With brake pads having been at the dangerously thin threshold, confirm the caliper pistons are not binding and the sliders are free, as neglected caliper mechanism is a common reason for uneven pad wear on high-mileage cars. Given the elevated annual mileage, a thorough physical inspection should also cover areas that MOT testing does not directly assess. Listen for clonks or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which would suggest worn anti-roll bar drop links, wishbone bushes, or top mounts, and check for uneven tyre wear across both axles that could point to alignment issues or worn suspension components. Under the bonnet, inspect engine oil condition and look for signs of oil misting around the cam cover or valve cover gasket, which is common on high-mileage Toyota engines, and verify coolant and transmission fluid levels and colour. On a road test, pay attention to any hesitation, rough idle, or unusual exhaust smoke that might indicate coil pack or ignition component wear consistent with the mileage. Finally, request evidence of recent major service items such as timing chain or belt replacement, spark plugs, and any transmission service, as these become increasingly important at nearly 200,000 miles.