2006 Toyota Aygo 1.0L Petrol · LS56 TMV

A persistent oil leak has been the recurring advisory across the MOT history of this 2006 Toyota Aygo, flagged on three separate occasions in 2023, 2024, and again on the pass dated 16 December 2025, where the leak was noted as not excessive. Each instance has been logged under the same defect code, indicating that the underlying seepage has not been resolved between tests, even though the car has continued to pass. The most recent test on 16 December 2025 recorded only this single advisory, confirming that the vehicle remains roadworthy at present, but the three-year continuity of the same observation suggests an ongoing minor fluid loss from an engine or gearbox seal that warrants attention. Additionally, a single failure was recorded on 8 January 2024 for two major defects: an inoperative hazard warning switch and an inoperative rear registration plate lamp. Both items were apparently rectified, as a pass was issued on the same date immediately following the failure, and neither defect has recurred in subsequent tests. With 66,233 miles recorded over approximately twenty years, this Aygo has covered around 3,300 miles annually, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age. Such restrained mileage typically reflects either limited daily use or extended periods of inactivity. There are no significant gaps in the annual testing cycle, with records present for consecutive years, suggesting the car has been kept on the road consistently rather than left dormant for multi-year stretches. Mechanically, low annual mileage of this nature tends to preserve internal engine and drivetrain components from wear-driven fatigue, but it can accelerate degradation of rubber seals, gaskets, and flexible components that suffer from age-related drying and hardening rather than use-related wear. The recurring oil leak observation aligns with this profile, as aged seals on a lightly used engine are prone to minor seepage that would otherwise be masked by more frequent operation. For a prospective buyer, the immediate concern is the unresolved oil leak that has persisted across three MOT cycles. On inspection, the underside of the engine and bellhousing area should be examined for fresh wet residue or staining, paying particular attention to the crankshaft seals, camshaft seal, and any joint between the engine block and the gearbox. While the advisory specifies the leak is not excessive, a small seepage left unaddressed over several years can migrate onto nearby components such as the exhaust manifold or lower pulleys, potentially producing a faint burning smell or visible vapour on startup. It is also worth checking the coolant and oil levels before any test drive, as a continuing leak could deplete either fluid gradually between service intervals. Beyond the oil leak, the two failure items from January 2024 are minor electrical components that were evidently replaced and have not reappeared. However, a brief functional check of the hazard warning switch and all exterior lamps should still be performed prior to purchase, confirming that the indicators flash correctly when the hazard button is depressed and that the rear number plate illumination is functioning on both sides. Given the low mileage and apparent light usage, the test drive should focus on components most affected by age rather than wear: listen for any timing chain rattle on cold start, check for stiff or reluctant gear selection that might indicate dried linkage bushes, and observe whether the clutch engages smoothly without slipping or judder. The brakes should feel progressive and firm, and the steering should remain free of clonking over bumps, which on a low-mileage Aygo could indicate perished suspension bushes rather than worn components. Overall, the car presents a clean and stable MOT profile with only minor advisories, but the unresolved oil leak remains the single mechanical thread that a buyer should pursue before committing.