2009 Toyota Yaris 1.0L Petrol · LS59 AEP

This 2009 Toyota Yaris presents a roadworthiness profile dominated by a cluster of chronic advisories that have persisted across at least the last three test cycles, painting a clear mechanical picture of an ageing vehicle where consumable suspension components and minor oil seepage have become ongoing items rather than isolated defects. The most recent assessment on 15 February 2026 resulted in a pass, but the same test was conducted alongside a failure on the same day due to a dangerous nearside rear tyre exhibiting structural separation, which was subsequently addressed to secure the pass. The front suspension arm pin or bush wear, suspension component corrosion, and non-excessive oil leak all carried over from the February 2025 test, indicating these items have been flagged for a minimum of two consecutive years and have not deteriorated to a failure standard, but neither have they been rectified. Additionally, the 2025 test introduced a vehicle structural corrosion advisory, suggesting the onset of rust on load-bearing areas, though it was not deemed to compromise structural rigidity at that point. Recorded mileage of 117,803 miles across approximately seventeen years equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 6,930 miles, which is broadly consistent with typical usage for a vehicle of this age. The MOT history demonstrates a consistent testing pattern with annual entries, indicating the car has remained in regular service and has not suffered any extended periods off the road. This continuity of use is mechanically relevant because the wear patterns observed, particularly the suspension component advisories and oil seepage, align with what one would expect from a higher-mileage example rather than a low-use vehicle suffering from dried seals or seized components. The mileage trajectory through 2024, 2025, and 2026 appears stable and incremental, with no anomalous jumps that would suggest clock irregularities or dramatic changes in usage. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is a thorough inspection of the suspension geometry referenced in the persistent advisories. The front suspension arm pin or bush wear flagged on both sides warrants a physical check for play in the lower control arm bushings, which on a Yaris of this generation typically involves the front compliance bushes or rear trailing arm bushes. During a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and feel for imprecise steering response or vague directional changes that would indicate the bushes have worn beyond the advisory threshold. The suspension component corrosion advisory should prompt a close visual examination of the front strut assemblies, coil springs, and associated mounting points for surface rust, paying particular attention to whether any corrosion has progressed into a structurally significant area since the last test, particularly given the introduction of the vehicle structure corrosion advisory in 2025. The oil leak advisory, recorded consistently since at least the 2024 test, most likely originates from the engine camshaft seal, valve cover gasket, or front crankshaft seal area, all common seepage points on the ageing Yaris engine. On inspection, check for oil residue on the lower engine block, sump, and surrounding components, and note whether the leak has worsened by examining fresh wet oil versus dry staining. The dangerous tyre failure on the rear nearside is a critical reminder to inspect all four tyres closely for sidewall bulges, cracking, or any signs of delamination, as a single structural failure suggests the remaining tyres may be of similar age and compound. Finally, given the vehicle structure corrosion advisory from 2025, examine the rear axle mounting areas, sill jacking points, and inner wheel arches for any rust progression, as these are typical corrosion hotspots on this model and any worsening could significantly impact the vehicle's future roadworthiness classification.