2012 Toyota Yaris 1.3L Petrol · LM62 CVL

The most recent DVSA MOT test, conducted on 4 January 2026, recorded a pass with no defects or advisories against the vehicle. However, the same date also shows a prior failed submission on the same day, with both the nearside and offside anti-roll bar linkage ball joints recorded as excessively worn under the prescribed dangerous defect category. The presence of two dangerous defects on the same test indicates that the anti-roll bar drop links were renewed immediately prior to obtaining the pass certificate. Looking back across the available history, the pattern is broadly stable, with annual passes from 2022 through 2025, though a recurring theme of minor lighting faults has appeared on more than one occasion, alongside a nearside front tyre edge wear advisory in early 2024. Overall, the trajectory suggests attentive maintenance rather than systemic neglect, though the latest structural advisory relating to the anti-roll bar linkage warrants closer physical inspection. The recorded mileage of 66,465 miles over approximately fourteen years equates to an annual average of around 4,748 miles, which is substantially below the typical usage rate for a vehicle of this age and class. Such low mileage is consistent with predominantly short urban journeys and likely extended periods of standing, either between infrequent longer trips or during periods of non-use. Mechanically, this usage profile shifts the wear concerns away from high-mileage drivetrain fatigue and towards calendar-based degradation. Brake discs and calipers are particularly susceptible to corrosion and seizing when a vehicle is stored or used only intermittently, while the 12V battery, cooling system, brake fluid, and fuel system can all deteriorate due to age alone. The MOT history shows no unusual mileage gaps or sudden accumulations, and the mileage progression between tests has been gradual and plausible. Given the low annual mileage and the vehicle's age, a prospective buyer should carry out several age-related physical inspections that would not necessarily be flagged by an MOT. Tyres on a 14-year-old car can suffer from sidewall perishing and cracking even when the tread depth remains adequate, so each tyre should be examined closely for rubber degradation, and the manufacturing date code on the sidewall should be reviewed to confirm the tyres are not excessively old. The brake discs, particularly the rear drums or rotors, should be inspected for surface corrosion, and the caliper slide pins and handbrake mechanism should be checked for freedom of movement, as binding calipers are a common consequence of low-mileage use. A standing battery voltage and load test is advisable, given that intermittent use is hard on battery longevity, and the coolant, brake fluid, and automatic transmission fluid, if fitted, should be assessed for age-related condition rather than simply relying on service history intervals. The original anti-roll bar drop links were replaced in late 2025 or early 2026, so it is sensible to confirm the work was completed with quality components and to inspect the surrounding bushes and mounting points for any associated wear. On a road test, particular attention should be paid to any residual symptoms from the recent anti-roll bar linkage renewal, such as knocking or rattling noises from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, vague or imprecise turn-in response, and any uneven tyre wear developing across the front axle, which would suggest the geometry has not been correctly checked after the replacement. The lighting defects recorded in 2022 and 2024 relating to the rear stop lamps and registration plate lamp should be verified as fully resolved by operating all external lights during a walk-around. A general listen for suspension clonks over speed humps and a visual check for fluid seepage from the engine, gearbox, and steering rack would also be prudent given the vehicle's age, ensuring that no further deterioration has occurred since the most recent MOT was recorded.