2010 Toyota Auris 2.0L Hybrid electric (clean) · LS60 GPZ

The most recent MOT, carried out on 30 October 2025, was passed but returned an advisory for front‑play in the steering‑rack inner joints on both sides, together with a minor fault on the off‑side rear registration‑plate lamp and a defective front windscreen‑wiper blade. Over the past six years the vehicle has shown a pattern of recurring advisories – notably persistent steering‑rack play, rear brake disc and pad wear, brake‑pipe corrosion and a deteriorated anti‑roll‑bar ball‑joint dust cover – and two outright failures in 2022 and 2023. Although the latest test succeeded, the consistency of the same fault categories indicates a maintenance trend that is not improving; the car is being kept road‑legal but underlying component wear remains unaddressed. At 175 501 miles recorded for a 2010 model, the average annual mileage works out at roughly 11 000 mi per year, which sits squarely within a normal usage envelope for a vehicle of this age. There are no obvious periods of prolonged inactivity that would suggest severe calendar ageing, nor any evidence of sudden high‑mileage spikes that would accelerate wear beyond the expected rate. Consequently the mileage alone does not raise immediate red flags, but it does mean that wear items such as suspension bushes, brake discs, and tyre tread are likely approaching the end of their service lives and should be examined closely. Prospective buyers should give particular attention to the steering system. On a test drive feel for any looseness, clunking or delayed return to centre when the wheel is turned at low speed; a noticeable play may confirm the advisory and could presage the need for rack‑end bearing or inner‑joint replacement. Inspect the front tie‑rod ends and ball joints for excess movement or grease leakage, and verify that the anti‑roll‑bar joint is free from corrosion and excessive play, as the dust‑cover deterioration noted in 2022 can be a precursor to structural wear. The rear braking assembly also warrants scrutiny: the MOT notes thin rear pads and a disc that was already worn in 2023, so check for uneven pad wear, scoring or rust on the discs, and test for any pulsation or sponginess in the pedal that could indicate the previously recorded brake‑pipe corrosion. Verify that the supplementary restraint system warning lamp is now illuminated correctly, as a fault was flagged in the 2023 failure. Finally, conduct age‑related checks irrespective of mileage. Examine all tyres for tread depth, sidewall cracking or perishing, especially the off‑side rear tyre that was close to the legal limit in 2020; replace any tyre that shows dry‑rot or uneven wear. Test the 12‑volt battery under load, as a 16‑year‑old unit may have diminished cranking capacity. Replace the engine oil, coolant and brake fluid if service stamps are absent or the intervals exceed two years, since fluid degradation can affect cooling, lubrication and braking performance. Look for any signs of rust on the chassis, under‑body and suspension components, and ensure that all lights, including the registration‑plate lamps and hazard warning indicator, function correctly before committing to purchase.