2007 Toyota Yaris 1.3L Petrol · LB07 UTN

A pattern of tyre and drivetrain vulnerabilities has defined this Yaris's MOT record over the last three cycles, with the most recent pass on 16 March 2026 carrying only a single advisory relating to nearside rear tyre wear. The previous year's test on 17 March 2025 produced both a pass and a fail on the same date; the pass recorded an offside front tyre advisory, while the fail flagged the same offside front tyre alongside a malfunction indicator lamp presenting as inoperative or showing a fault, which is a direct emissions or engine management concern. The 2024 cycle was more serious, with a dangerous failure on 20 March 2024 identifying both front tyres below the legal 1.6mm tread limit and major defects on both constant velocity joints of the front drive shafts, where the boots had split and were no longer preventing dirt ingress. A clean pass followed the next day on 21 March 2024 with no defects recorded, suggesting remedial work was carried out immediately. The recurring front-end tyre wear and the dual CV boot failures indicate the front suspension geometry, steering components, or tyre specification have not been fully resolved, which warrants close attention from any prospective buyer. Recorded mileage of 102,255 over a 19-year vehicle life equates to approximately 5,382 miles per annum, which is substantially below average annual mileage expectations for a commuter-sized hatchback of this era. There are no extended gaps in MOT testing that would suggest the vehicle has been laid up for prolonged periods, but the low accumulation rate does imply extended standing phases interspersed with shorter periods of regular use. Mechanically, this pattern tends to manifest as aged rubber components, dried suspension bushes, potential brake caliper seizure from inactivity, and a battery that may have suffered repeated discharge cycles. The fact that front tyres have repeatedly reached the legal limit despite low mileage is itself a diagnostic signal, pointing more towards geometry or suspension wear than simple rate-of-use consumption. A prospective buyer should focus the physical inspection on the exact components that have failed historically. Both front CV boots have already been replaced, so the joint grease should be checked for contamination and the boots themselves inspected for any early perishing or splits, particularly at the larger diameter convolutions where they flex through steering lock. The front tyres should be examined for uneven shoulder wear, feathering across the tread, or one-sided wear, which on this Yaris points to worn suspension bushes, top mount bearings, or tracking geometry that has not been correctly set after the CV work. With the engine management lamp having previously indicated a malfunction, any stored diagnostic trouble codes should be retrieved, and the test drive should include steady throttle acceleration from low speed and a sustained motorway cruise to confirm the lamp remains extinguished and that the engine delivers uninterrupted power without misfire, hesitation, or intermittent rough idle. On a road test, listen carefully for clonking or clicking from the front hubs during full-lock turns at low speed, which would confirm CV joint deterioration rather than just old boots, and feel for vibration through the steering wheel at speed that could indicate driveshaft imbalance following replacement. Listen for knocking from the front suspension over speed bumps and uneven road surfaces, particularly from the lower control arm bushes and anti-roll bar links, as these commonly perish with age even at low mileage. Brake pedal feel should be assessed for any judder or pull, as seized front calipers are common on infrequently driven vehicles and would also explain accelerated inner-edge tyre wear. Finally, inspect the exhaust and underbody thoroughly for corrosion, particularly around the rear axle and suspension mounting points, as 19-year-old Yaris chassis can develop surface rust that may not yet have reached MOT failure thresholds but warrants monitoring.