2008 Toyota Aygo 1.0L Petrol · FP08 YME

A chronic and worsening pattern of structural corrosion sits at the heart of this Toyota Aygo's MOT history, with the most recent test on 6 February 2024 recording a dangerous failure across all three tyres on the nearside and offside rear due to exposed ply or cords, alongside a major defect on the nearside rear suspension mounting area where the chassis itself was deemed excessively corroded with structural strength significantly reduced. This 2024 outcome is not an isolated event; it follows a January 2022 failure in which both outer sill integral body sections were also classified as corroded to the point that assembly rigidity was significantly reduced, indicating that body corrosion has been an ongoing and progressive concern for at least two years. Two further failures bookend this period, in February 2023 for a parking brake efficiency shortfall, inoperative offside stop lamp, and ineffective windscreen wiper, and the 2024 dangerous tyre failure, meaning three of the seven recorded tests have ended in failure. The intervening passes in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022 each carried at least one advisory, with brake pipe corrosion appearing repeatedly in 2018 and again in 2024, and exhaust mounting defects recurring across 2021, 2023, and the 2023 pass, suggesting that multiple secondary component issues have been allowed to carry over from test to test rather than being remedied at the time. The mileage trajectory across this 18-year-old vehicle is broadly typical for its age, with 119,297 recorded miles equating to roughly 6,628 miles annually, and the records show consistent annual testing from 2018 onwards with no multi-year gaps that would suggest prolonged storage. This steady accumulation means consumable wear on items such as tyres, brake pads and discs, clutches, and suspension bushes will be commensurate with the odometer reading, and there is no evidence in the test history to suggest any unusual usage profile or extended off-road periods that would alter expectations. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority on inspection is a thorough physical examination of the nearside rear chassis area and both outer sills, as these zones have been flagged twice for advanced corrosion affecting structural rigidity, and any future MOT test is highly likely to revisit the same areas given the progressive nature of the defects recorded. A close inspection of the underside is essential, looking for fresh welding, underseal hiding perforations, or evidence that the previous sill and chassis sections have been repaired rather than replaced, as poorly executed patch repairs will themselves fail an MOT structural integrity assessment. On the road, particular attention should be paid to any knocking, clonking, or excessive vertical movement from the rear suspension over bumps, which could indicate that the corroded nearside rear mounting has further deteriorated, and the car should be driven over uneven surfaces to expose any slack in the rear axle assembly. The repeated advisories for brake pipe corrosion on the nearside rear in both 2018 and 2024 warrant a careful visual check of all brake lines, especially along the rear axle and where pipes pass close to the body or chassis, with the buyer pressing the brake pedal firmly to feel for any sponginess that might indicate perished pipework. The recurring front exhaust mounting defect, noted as a broken front hanger in 2021 and again in 2023, should be inspected by hand to confirm the system remains adequately supported and is not contacting the underbody. Given the 2024 dangerous tyre failure with exposed cords on three tyres simultaneously, the condition and age of all four tyres plus the spare should be verified, and a test drive should include firm braking from at least 30 mph to check for any pulling, judder, or binding that could indicate warped front discs or a seized caliper consistent with the mileage. Finally, the parking brake should be tested on a hill to confirm it holds the vehicle without excessive travel, addressing the 2023 efficiency failure, and all external lamps and the wiper sweep pattern should be confirmed as fully functional before purchase.