2009 Toyota Aygo 1.0L Petrol · LO59 LCM

The defining mechanical story for this 2009 Toyota Aygo centres on its rear brake system and front anti-roll bar hardware, all set against a broadly compliant pass rate. The most recent test on 23 March 2026 returned a clean pass with no defects recorded, which on the surface is reassuring, yet the prior year's record shows repeat advisories for slight corrosion to the ferrules on both rear brake hoses. Corrosion on these small ferrous components tends to progress steadily once it initiates, so while the hoses themselves were deemed serviceable in 2025, the underlying deterioration will not reverse. A more telling entry sits between the 2024 pass and fail of 19 March 2024: the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush was flagged as excessively worn, constituting a fail item. The wear pattern on anti-roll bar drop links is progressive rather than self-correcting, and on a vehicle of this age and design it warrants close physical inspection of both sides, not only the one documented. Earlier still, in March 2023, the offside rear brake was binding but not excessively and the nearside rear service brake was just meeting minimum requirements, a combination that suggests the rear brake actuation has been on the edge of acceptable performance for some time. Mileage is notably low for a 17-year-old vehicle. At 74,642 miles against the 2026 test, the annual accumulation works out at roughly 4,391 miles per year, well below the typical 7,000 to 9,000 miles expected of a small city car like the Aygo. The MOT records show consistent year-on-year testing with no extended gaps, indicating the car has not been declared SORN for significant periods and has remained on the road. Low mileage of this nature can be advantageous where it reflects genuine light use, but mechanically it also means prolonged standing periods, particularly if the car was used only intermittently for short journeys. Such usage tends to starve the engine of full warm-up cycles, promote moisture accumulation in the exhaust system, and lead to surface corrosion on underbody components that would otherwise be washed clear by regular longer runs. For a prospective buyer, the rear brake assembly should be the focus of any physical inspection. The 2023 advisories noted binding on the offside rear and marginal performance on the nearside rear, and the 2025 test highlighted ferrule corrosion on both rear hoses, so the entire rear braking circuit warrants scrutiny. On a test drive, listen for any dragging sensation through the first few pedal applications, check that the handbrake holds without excessive travel, and feel for the rear pulling to one side under light braking, which would indicate a sticking caliper or partially seized wheel cylinder. The brake hoses themselves should be inspected closely at the chassis union for any visible rust blooming or weeping, and the flexible sections should be squeezed to ensure they remain pliable rather than hardened. The front suspension is the other priority. The 2024 failure for an excessively worn anti-roll bar linkage on the nearside is a known weak point on Aygos of this generation, and replacement parts can vary in quality. On the test drive, listen for clonking or rattling noises from the front end over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, particularly during direction changes, as worn drop link bushes allow the anti-roll bar to move independently of the strut. A useful static check is to grasp the anti-roll bar itself with the wheel off the ground and attempt to rock it; any noticeable movement indicates perished bushes. Beyond these flagged items, the general condition of the underbody should be examined for surface corrosion given the vehicle's age, and a thorough check made of the exhaust mounting rubbers and rear silencer, which are prone to failure on cars used predominantly for short urban journeys.