2012 Toyota Aygo 1.0L Petrol · GF62 VFP

A repeating pattern of emissions and exhaust concerns dominates the roadworthiness record of this 2012 Toyota Aygo, and that is the central mechanical issue a prospective buyer must investigate. The most recent test on 2026-02-10 passed, but only after recording a deteriorated CV joint boot on both front drive shafts and an inoperative offside rear registration plate lamp, both classified as minor defects. More concerning is the February 2025 failure, where the vehicle failed on excessive carbon monoxide emissions at both idle and after the second fast idle, alongside a major defect for an insecure battery presenting a short-circuit risk. This emissions failure, taken with the advisory recorded in February 2024 for blue smoke during acceleration, suggests a persistent issue with the engine management, exhaust system, or catalyst that has not been conclusively resolved. Earlier in 2021 the vehicle also failed on an insecure exhaust system, reinforcing a history of exhaust-related non-conformities. While two tests in 2022 and 2025 returned clean results, the overall trend points toward intermittent rather than fully resolved emissions and exhaust concerns. Recorded mileage stands at 93,700 miles across approximately 14 years of service, which equates to roughly 6,700 miles per year and sits broadly in line with typical usage for a small city car of this age. The mileage progression between tests is steady, with no dramatic annual spikes or extended periods off the road, indicating the vehicle has been in consistent rather than sporadic use. There are no multi-year lay-up gaps that would raise concerns about dried seals, seized brakes, or a discharged battery left unaddressed. This consistent accumulation of miles means wear on consumables such as tyres, brake pads and discs, clutches, and suspension components will be proportionate to the odometer reading rather than artificially accelerated by periods of disuse followed by hard recommissioning. For a buyer, the priority inspection items are the drive shafts, the suspension linkages and bushes, and the emissions and exhaust system. The most recent test flagged the CV joint boots on both front drive shafts as severely deteriorated, and at this mileage torn boots can quickly allow grease loss and ingress of road grit, leading to joint failure. A test drive should include slow full-lock turns in both directions while listening for clicking, knocking, or a graunching sensation from the front wheels, and a visual check of the boots themselves for splits, grease fling, or perished rubber. Earlier advisories noted worn anti-roll bar linkage pins and bushes on both sides in 2023, plus a front suspension arm pin or bush wearing in 2021, so the front end should be examined for clonking over bumps, vagueness through corners, or uneven tyre wear indicating geometry disturbance. Given the recorded blue smoke advisory in 2024 and the carbon monoxide failure in 2025, the engine should be observed from cold start for excessive smoke, ticking or rattling on overrun, and a sluggish throttle response, while the exhaust system should be inspected for blowing gaskets, corroded joints, or movement that could explain the earlier insecure findings. Finally, the brake system, tyres, and battery security warrant direct scrutiny given the items raised across the test history. Although no brake-specific defects have been recorded, the cumulative mileage implies that pads and discs will be approaching their service limits, so a test drive should confirm firm pedal feel without judder or pull under heavy braking, and the discs should be checked for lipping and surface corrosion. The February 2025 failure explicitly cited an insecure battery likely to cause a short circuit, so the battery mounting bracket, hold-down clamp, and terminal security should be physically verified rather than assumed. The offside front tyre advisory from 2023 indicates uneven wear was already developing, so both front tyres should be measured for tread depth and inspected for feathering or one-sided wear consistent with the worn suspension components previously flagged.