2018 Toyota Yaris 1.5L Hybrid electric (clean) · FN68 BYD

The most recent MOT, dated 3 November 2025, was passed with no recorded defects, indicating that the vehicle currently meets the statutory safety and emissions standards. Over the preceding three‑year period the car experienced two outright failures – one in October 2023 for a severely worn off‑side front anti‑roll bar ball‑joint dust cover and a faulty registration‑plate lamp, and another in October 2024 for an excessively worn off‑side front anti‑roll bar linkage ball joint – but each was followed by a subsequent pass with only advisory items. This pattern suggests that the major faults identified have been remedied, and the overall maintenance trajectory is now stabilising, although a number of advisory items remain to be addressed. At 153 521 miles on the odometer, the Yaris has logged roughly 19 200 miles per year since its first registration in 2018, a usage rate well above the UK average for a small hatchback of this age. Such high annual mileage accelerates wear on consumables such as brake discs, pads, tyres, suspension bushings and engine oil, and it also increases the likelihood of internal component fatigue. The mileage figure does not reveal any prolonged periods of inactivity, so the wear is likely to be progressive rather than the result of long standing periods that can cause corrosion or fluid perishing. Prospective buyers should give particular attention to the rear braking system and the front anti‑roll bar assembly. The MOT advisories from 2024 note rear brake discs that are worn, pitted or scored and pads that are approaching the minimum thickness; these components can produce a pulsating brake pedal, increased stopping distances or a squealing noise under hard braking. A visual inspection should confirm disc surface condition and pad thickness, and a road test should check for any shudder or uneven bite. The off‑side front anti‑roll bar ball joint, which caused a major failure in 2023 and 2024, should be examined for excessive play, cracked rubber boots or corrosion; any looseness will be felt as a clunk when the steering wheel is turned sharply or when encountering bumps. The front nearside tyre, flagged as near the legal tread limit in 2024, must be measured for tread depth and inspected for side‑wall cracks; uneven wear may indicate mis‑aligned suspension or worn camber/caster bushes. Given the vehicle’s age and high mileage, a thorough inspection of the remaining wear items is advisable. Check all four tyres for age‑related cracking, especially if the sidewalls are over three years old, and verify that the tyre pressures are correct. Inspect the suspension bushes, coil springs and shock absorbers – the 2023 advisory about light oil misting in the nearside front shock suggests possible seal wear that could lead to reduced damping and a noisy ride. Examine the 12 V battery for terminal corrosion and test its cranking voltage, as batteries in high‑usage cars often need replacement after five to six years. Finally, confirm that the service history includes regular oil and coolant changes, and consider a fresh change of engine oil, coolant and brake fluid to mitigate any time‑based degradation that is not captured by mileage alone.