2004 Toyota Yaris 1.3L Petrol · GV04 XOD

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the recent MOT history indicates a concerning shift toward reactive maintenance. While the car passed its latest test in May 2026 at 125,885 miles, it followed a failure just two days prior. The transition from a clean record in 2024 to multiple mechanical and structural defects in 2026 suggests a worsening trend in vehicle upkeep. The presence of recurring faults indicates that the owner is only addressing issues when necessary to pass the annual test rather than performing preventative mechanical work. The mileage profile is notably low for a 22-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 5,700 miles per year. The data shows consistent usage between 2023 and 2024, where only 15,916 miles were recorded. However, the vehicle covered 15,462 miles between May 2025 and May 2026, representing a recent spike in activity. Low annual mileage often leads to the degradation of rubber components and corrosion on exposed metal surfaces, which aligns with the heavy corrosion and pitted discs noted in the most recent inspection. A physical inspection must focus heavily on the braking and exhaust systems. The May 2026 failure revealed front inner brake pads worn to the wear indicator alongside heavily corroded discs, suggesting the braking system has been neglected. The minor leak in the central exhaust remains an advisory, which often indicates thinning metal that will lead to a structural failure soon. The buyer should also inspect the front anti-roll bar linkages, which were already flagged as worn in 2025, to ensure they have not deteriorated into excessive movement. The condition of the registration plates and the cloudy headlamp lenses noted in the May 2026 failure point to long-term exposure without attention. The missing central rear passenger seat is a minor defect but reflects a lack of attention to interior detail. Given the age of the car and the reports of heavy corrosion, a thorough check of the underbody and structural sills is essential to ensure that low-mileage use has not compromised the overall integrity of the chassis.