2016 Toyota Yaris 1.5L Hybrid electric (clean) · GV65 ABK

A pattern of chronic front brake wear sits at the centre of this Yaris's roadworthiness record, with both front discs and the rear pads now flagged across the 2026 tests. The vehicle passed its most recent MOT on 8 April 2026 with advisory notices for thin rear brake pads and a minor windscreen scratch, but the same date also produced a failed test where advisories were issued for both front brake discs being pitted or scored, alongside a major failure for an offside front position lamp not working. This is the only recorded advisory concerning the braking system until this point, so it represents a new and rapidly developing wear pattern rather than a long-standing issue, though the simultaneous appearance of disc and pad wear on all four corners suggests the friction components are nearing the end of their service life together. The earlier 2025 and 2024 tests, by contrast, were dominated by minor electrical and lighting defects, indicating that the car's mechanical condition is now shifting from predominantly cosmetic electrical issues towards more substantive friction material concerns. Mileage of 105,846 across approximately ten years equates to a fairly typical annual accumulation of around 10,500 miles, which aligns closely with average commuter and mixed-use patterns for a vehicle of this class and age. There are no significant gaps in the testing history that would suggest the car has been laid up for extended periods, and the absence of recorded mileage progression notes makes it difficult to detect any unusual spikes between tests. This steady, consistent usage profile is mechanically neutral on its own, but it does mean the suspension, bushes, exhaust mounts, and engine ancillaries have accumulated the kind of continuous, real-world wear that ten years of regular driving produces, rather than the dry-joint and seal degradation associated with low-mileage storage. The transition from electrical minor defects to brake wear advisories is therefore consistent with a car that is now entering a phase where consumable mechanical items require more frequent attention. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is a thorough inspection of the entire braking system, since the 2026 advisories indicate the front discs are pitted and scored while both rear pads are wearing thin. On a test drive, listen for any grinding or scraping from the front wheels under light braking, feel for vibration or pulsation through the brake pedal which would suggest the disc scoring has progressed beyond surface wear, and check for the car pulling to one side under braking which could indicate a binding caliper. Inspect the rear pads through the wheel spokes or by removing the wheels if possible, as advisories of this nature at the next test will become failures once material drops below the legal minimum. The brake fluid should also be assessed for age, as ten years of service typically warrants replacement regardless of whether it was flagged at test. The lighting defects recorded across 2024 and 2025 deserve attention even though they were minor or major items rather than advisories, since multiple lamp failures within a short period can indicate deteriorating wiring, corroded multi-plugs, or failing earth points common to vehicles of this age. Check that all front and rear lamps, side repeaters, the horn, and the rear fog lamp function correctly, as several of these were non-operational at recent tests. The 2024 advisory noting both rear tyres worn close to the legal limit on both edges points to potential alignment or suspension geometry issues, so on the test drive pay particular attention to steering pull, uneven steering effort, or any knocking from the front suspension over uneven road surfaces. Given the mileage and age, also listen for timing chain or clutch chatter on cold start, inspect the underside for any signs of oil misting around the engine and gearbox, and verify that the cooling system has been maintained, as these are the typical failure points for a high-mileage Yaris of this generation that the MOT records cannot directly verify.