2013 Toyota IQ 1.0L Petrol · LL63 OEE

A pattern of minor advisories and one outright failure within the last three MOT cycles points to a vehicle that is fundamentally roadworthy but is showing the early signs of component wear typical of a thirteen year old city car. The most recent test on 2026-06-12 returned a pass, though it carried an advisory for light oil misting on the nearside rear shock absorber and a minor defect for a severely deteriorated offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover. The latter defect is particularly noteworthy because it represents a recurrence of an identical issue from the 2025-06-16 failure, where the nearside front upper anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover had failed to the extent that it was classified as a Major and prevented the test pass. The 2025 test also recorded a failed side repeater lamp and an inoperative registration plate lamp, both of which appear to have been rectified at the subsequent retest. Aside from these electrical and linkage concerns, the 2024 test recorded no defects at all, suggesting the core mechanical condition remains sound, with the advisories and failures concentrated around wearable plastic and rubber components rather than any structural corrosion or major mechanical degradation. Annual mileage of approximately 7,300 miles over the thirteen year lifespan is broadly in line with what one would expect for a Toyota IQ, a car that by its compact design is typically used for short urban journeys rather than long motorway commutes. There are no conspicuous gaps in the MOT history that would indicate extended periods off the road, and the mileage progression between tests is consistent and gradual, with no sudden jumps suggesting odometer tampering or unusual usage. Mechanically, this level of use means the engine and transmission are unlikely to have suffered the fatigue associated with high-mileage examples, though the low annual mileage combined with predominantly short-trip usage does place greater strain on components such as the battery, brake discs (which can corrode through lack of use), and the cooling system. The thin rear brake pads noted in 2023 are consistent with this urban usage pattern, where the front brakes take the majority of the workload. For a prospective buyer, the suspension and underbody should be the primary focus of any physical inspection. The recurrence of anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deterioration is a known weak point on vehicles of this age, and on a test drive you should listen carefully for any knocking or rattling from the front suspension over uneven road surfaces, particularly when traversing speed bumps or potholes. Gently rocking the stationary car side to side while feeling the front wheels for play is a worthwhile check, as perished dust covers allow dirt ingress that accelerates wear on the ball joint itself. The nearside rear shock absorber oil misting noted in 2026 is presently only an advisory, but it warrants a visual inspection of the shock body for any active weeping and a check for any uneven ride height or excessive body roll through corners. The shock absorbers on a vehicle of this weight are critical to handling, so any deterioration will be felt as a lack of composure over undulating roads. Brake condition and tyre integrity deserve close scrutiny given the historical advisories. With the nearside rear pads having been flagged as wearing thin three years ago, a present-day inspection of pad thickness and disc condition at all four corners is essential, and any grinding, pulsation, or pulling to one side under braking should be investigated promptly. The 2023 advisory of a nail in the nearside rear tyre and perishing on the offside rear tyre indicates that the wheels have been exposed to kerbing or age-related rubber degradation; check the current tyres for cracking in the sidewalls, uneven tread wear, and ensure they are of matching specification on each axle. Finally, given the minor electrical failures recorded in 2025, confirm the operation of all exterior lamps including the side repeaters, and verify that the nearside door mirror (previously damaged) is securely mounted and provides an adequate rear view, as a damaged mirror housing can vibrate at speed and obscure visibility.