2016 Toyota Aygo 1.0L Petrol · FG66 YFS

A brake-related dangerous failure in January 2026, quickly followed by a pass just three days later, defines the mechanical story of this 2016 Toyota Aygo. The near-side front brake pads were recorded at less than 1.5 mm thick, a level at which further service use could not be guaranteed, while the off-side front pads were noted as wearing thin and both front brake discs showed wear. A further major defect was also flagged for headlamp aim being too low on the off-side, which would have to be rectified for the car to be legally presented. Two advisories remained live after the subsequent pass on 2 February 2026: corrosion on the off-side rear brake pipe near the fuel tank hose union, and slight fraying or damage to the near-side front seat belt webbing. Prior to this cluster, the record from 2023 through 2025 was clean with no advisories, so the recent defects represent a marked change in condition rather than a long-standing pattern. With ten years of road use and 76,594 miles recorded, this Aygo averages around 7,659 miles per year, a typical accumulation for a small city car of its age. There are no unusually long gaps in the MOT history that would suggest the vehicle was laid up for multiple consecutive years, and the mileage progression between tests is broadly consistent with steady, everyday use rather than long-distance motorway mileage or extended periods of standing. Mechanically, this level of annual use tends to mean moderate wear on consumables such as brake pads, discs, tyres, and the exhaust, alongside gradual ageing of rubber components in the suspension and under-bonnet pipework. The mileage itself is not a red flag, but it does mean a ten-year-old vehicle will have components approaching the end of their typical service life, which is reflected in what appeared on test in early 2026. Any prospective buyer should focus closely on the braking system, as it accounts for most of the recorded concerns. With new front pads and discs likely fitted following the January 2026 failure, it is essential to bed these in properly and confirm the caliper sliders are free, as binding calipers are a common cause of uneven pad wear returning prematurely. On a test drive, listen for any scraping or grinding from the front wheels, feel for a soft or inconsistent brake pedal, and check for pulling to one side under heavy braking, which could indicate a seized slider or a flexible hose collapsing. The off-side rear brake pipe near the fuel tank was flagged as corroded, so a thorough visual inspection underneath the car is worthwhile; surface rust on steel brake lines that has been masked with grease can conceal deeper wall loss, and any spongy pedal feel or visible seepage should be treated seriously. Beyond the brakes, attention should turn to the headlamp alignment and the seat belt. The off-side headlamp was found to be aimed too low, which can usually be corrected via the manual adjuster, but the mechanism should be checked for stripped threads or seized movement. The near-side front seat belt webbing was recorded as slightly frayed or damaged; this should be inspected along its full length for cuts, burns, or stiffness, as a belt showing damage can compromise its function in a collision. A general check of the front suspension for knocking over bumps, the exhaust for blowing or rattling, and the tyres for even wear across the tread will round out a sensible appraisal of a ten-year-old Aygo that has just emerged from its first significant MOT failure.