2003 Toyota Yaris 1.3L Petrol · LS03 RYA

As a 1.3-litre petrol Yaris first registered in July 2003, it will fall into a low road tax band typical of that era (likely £210 per year under older CO2 bands, though confirm with DVLA). Insurance groups for early Yaris models are low, often Group 3-5, keeping premiums modest for a budget runabout.

Fuel economy on the 1299cc petrol should be around 40-45 mpg in mixed use, but the 2022 lambda and exhaust faults may have reduced this. Routine maintenance is cheap due to Toyota parts availability, but with 128k miles expect periodic spends on suspension bushes, brake hoses and tyres. Estimated annual running cost including fuel, tax, insurance and maintenance is approximately £900-£1,200.

The MOT failures show specific recurrent defects: anti-roll bar linkage pins/bushes worn on both front corners (noted in 2021 and 2022), brake hoses deteriorated on all four corners by 2022, and offside rear tyre worn on the edge at every test from 2020 to 2022. Inspect all four brake hoses for cracking, check the front anti-roll bar drop links for play, and examine rear tyres for edge wear indicating tracking issues.

The 2022 failure recorded a centre exhaust box outer casing coming apart with a minor gas leak and poor lambda readings — physically inspect the exhaust for rust, splits and listen for leaks. Headlamps repeatedly had 'product on lens' reducing output and in 2022 were insecure on the near side; check both units are securely mounted and lenses are clear. Finally, confirm the engine malfunction lamp now works and is not illuminated, as it was flagged inoperative in both failures.