2012 Toyota Aygo 1.0L Petrol · FT12 OFO

The most recent MOT on 3 December 2025 was a pass, but it was accompanied by four advisories covering corrosion on both rear brake pipes, a defective front exhaust mounting and a slightly discoloured off‑side front direction indicator. Over the last six years the vehicle has alternated between passes and failures, with major failures recorded for the brake pipe corrosion, rear suspension mounting corrosion, an insecure exhaust system and a fault in the supplementary restraint system warning lamp. Although the latest result is a pass, the recurrence of corrosion‑related items and the persistence of exhaust‑mounting defects indicate that the overall maintenance trend is only marginally improving and that underlying wear has not been fully addressed. At 77,284 miles the Aygo averages just over 5,500 miles per annum, which is considerably below the typical usage for a vehicle of its age. Such low annual mileage often points to periods of infrequent use or prolonged storage, both of which can accelerate rubber perishing, battery sulphation and corrosion of steel components that are not regularly exercised. The mileage itself does not suggest excessive wear on drivetrain or brake wear items, but the pattern of use means that age‑related degradation may be more pronounced than the odometer reading alone would imply. A prospective buyer should give particular attention to the rear brake pipe assemblies; the MOT notes excessive corrosion front to rear on the off‑side pipe and surface corrosion on both rear pipes. Inspect the pipe interiors for rust, check for any fluid leakage at the joints and listen for a faint hissing or metallic clunk when applying the brakes. Replacement of the corroded sections is advisable, as failure can lead to loss of rear braking pressure. The front exhaust mounting is repeatedly flagged as defective – verify that the exhaust is firmly attached, that there is no rattling or excessive vibration at idle and that no exhaust fumes are entering the cabin. Any cracked or missing brackets should be replaced, and the condition of the rear silencer mount should be confirmed, as an insecure exhaust can cause increased noise, vibration and potential emissions failure. Given the vehicle’s age and low utilisation, the buyer should also examine the condition of the tyres, especially the near‑side front and rear which have previously been noted as worn close to the legal limit and showing early cracking. Look for sidewall dry‑rot, tread separation and uneven wear that could indicate mis‑alignment or worn suspension bushings. The anti‑roll bar linkage pins and bushings were previously recorded as worn; check for any play or clunking when turning the steering wheel or driving over bumps. Verify that the supplementary restraint system warning lamp illuminates correctly, and confirm that the battery holds charge and the electrolyte levels are adequate. Finally, a thorough fluid service – brake fluid, coolant and engine oil – should be performed if the last change predates the typical two‑year interval, as time‑based degradation can affect performance even on low‑mileage cars.