2015 Toyota Yaris 1.5L Hybrid electric (clean) · LP64 FZR

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 11 December 2025, although only three days earlier it failed on several lighting-related defects including an inoperative offside registration plate lamp, significantly reduced intensity from both side repeater lights, a near-side rear lamp unit described as broken with very sharp edges, and an offside headlamp whose light output was severely reduced by a product on the lens. Notably, the lamp unit defect was flagged as dangerous, meaning the vehicle would not have been legal to drive away from the test in that condition. The lighting failures were all rectified ahead of the pass, but their clustered nature suggests a period of neglect or possibly failed bulbs and lenses left unattended. The previous test in December 2024 was a clean pass with no defects recorded, and the December 2023 test similarly passed with only a minor indicator lens defect. Taken overall, the trend is not one of progressive mechanical decline; instead, it appears the vehicle suffered a short-term lapse in lighting maintenance which has since been resolved, while the underlying chassis, braking, suspension, and exhaust systems have consistently passed without structural or safety-critical issues. With 74,439 miles recorded over approximately eleven years, the Yaris is averaging around 6,767 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a car of this age and segment. The mileage progression across the MOT history appears steady and consistent, with no extended standing periods evident and no rapid accumulation that would suggest heavy commercial or motorway use. This average annual figure is comfortable for the vehicle and implies that major mechanical components such as the engine, transmission, clutch, and major suspension parts should not yet be approaching end-of-life, provided routine servicing has been carried out at the correct intervals. A buyer should still confirm that the service book or digital history shows regular oil and filter changes at manufacturer-recommended intervals, as adherence to the Toyota service schedule is the single biggest determinant of long-term reliability for the 1.0 or 1.33 petrol units commonly fitted to this generation of Yaris. The most persistent item in the MOT history is the recurring advisory for worn, pitted, or scored front brake discs, which has appeared at almost every test since January 2022. On a 2015 Yaris now eleven years old with typical mileage, this is entirely expected wear rather than a sign of underlying fault, but a prospective buyer should inspect the discs physically for lipping, visible ridges, and surface corrosion scoring, and should listen during a test drive for any brake shudder through the steering wheel or pedal under firm application. The advisory does not constitute a failure, but repeated annual appearance suggests the discs are progressively thinning and will likely require replacement at the next service, probably together with fresh front pads. Tyre advisories have also been frequent, including worn-on-edge fronts in January 2024 and perishing or cracking in the tread and sidewalls of both rear tyres in January 2022. Rubber compounds degrade with age regardless of tread depth, and on an eleven-year-old car it is essential to inspect all four tyres closely for sidewall cracking, perishing, and DOT date codes, replacing any tyre more than five or six years old even if the tread appears adequate. Uneven edge wear on the fronts would also warrant a check of front suspension bushes, wheel alignment, and tracking geometry. Beyond the recorded defects, several age-related items warrant physical inspection. The 12V battery on a car of this age is approaching the end of its typical service life and should be load-tested, as a failing battery can cause erratic electrical behaviour including the type of lighting faults seen on the December 2025 test. Brake fluid should have been changed at least every two years regardless of mileage, and engine coolant similarly inspected for condition and correct concentration, given the calendar age of the vehicle. On the test drive, listen for any suspension clonks or knocks over speed humps, check for pulling under braking which might indicate a binding caliper, and verify that all lighting including dipped beam, main beam, indicators, side repeaters, number plate lamps, and rear lamp units are fully functional, as the recent MOT history demonstrates that lighting neglect can quickly escalate to a failure. Finally, inspect the rear lamp assemblies for cracks or sharp edges as previously flagged, confirm the handbrake holds firmly on an incline, and check beneath the vehicle for any signs of oil or coolant leaks from the engine or transmission, all of which would be appropriate precautionary measures for a well-used but generally well-maintained example of this popular and reliable model.