2004 Toyota Yaris 1.3L Petrol · FM53 EGK

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the maintenance history reveals a worsening trend regarding structural integrity. While it passed the latest test in November 2024 at 93,684 miles, the tester identified significant repairs to the upper suspension component mountings and strut towers that had been concealed with underseal. This indicates a previous attempt to mask structural corrosion rather than treating it professionally. The presence of corrosion across multiple suspension mounting points and seat belt anchors suggests the chassis is reaching a fatigue stage. The mileage profile is notably low for a 22-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 4,258 miles per year. There is a distinct gap in the records between September 2020 at 54,226 miles and January 2022 at 55,326 miles, which suggests the car sat stationary for an extended period. Since then, the vehicle has covered nearly 38,000 miles in under four years. This recent increase in usage often correlates with the degradation of rubber-based components, as evidenced by the perished tyres noted in the 2024 test. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the underside to assess the extent of the surface corrosion noted in 2022. Specific attention is required for the inner strut towers and suspension mountings to ensure the underseal is not hiding deep scaling or thinning metalwork. The recurring history of corroded coil springs and brake pipes indicates the vehicle has operated in a damp environment which accelerates metal oxidation. Additionally, check the headlamp lenses for misting or defects, as these have been persistent advisories across the last two years.