2011 Toyota Yaris 1.3L Petrol · MA11 XHY

The most recent MOT, carried out on 4 August 2026, was passed but returned two advisories: slight play in the off‑side front anti‑roll‑bar linkage ball joint and a defective off‑side rear exhaust mounting. Compared with the preceding three years, the vehicle has moved from a major failure on the front coil spring in July 2025 to a clean pass, albeit with lingering advisory items. The pattern shows a modest improvement in overall compliance, yet the recurrence of the anti‑roll‑bar ball‑joint play and the persistent tyre condition warnings indicate that some wear items have not been fully addressed. At 74 567 miles the Yaris averages just under 5 000 miles per annum, well below the typical usage for a fifteen‑year‑old family hatchback. Such low annual mileage often points to periods of infrequent use or prolonged storage, which can accelerate age‑related deterioration of rubber components, battery cells and corrosion‑prone fittings, even though the mechanical wear from mileage is modest. The relatively low mileage does not, however, mitigate the need to verify that consumables such as tyres, brake pads and fluids have been refreshed on a calendar basis. Prospective buyers should give particular attention to the front anti‑roll‑bar linkage. On a low‑speed test drive, feel for any clunk or looseness when steering through tight corners; a noticeable wobble may indicate that the ball joint bushings are worn beyond the advisory tolerance and will require replacement to preserve chassis geometry and tyre wear. The rear exhaust mounting, flagged as defective, should be inspected for cracked brackets or loose clamps that could cause rattles at idle or under acceleration and may allow exhaust fumes to enter the cabin if severely degraded. Although the front coil spring failure was recorded in 2025, confirm that the replacement spring is correctly seated and that the associated strut mount shows no oil leakage, as a missed installation can lead to uneven ride height and premature tyre wear. Given the age and the advisory noting cracking or perishing of all four tyres, a full tyre set replacement is advisable before any extended journey; look for dry rot, sidewall cracks and tread delamination, especially on the off‑side front where wear is close to the legal limit. Check the condition of the rear registration‑plate lamp and the near‑side rear seat‑belt, ensuring the lamp illuminates fully and the belt retracts smoothly without fraying. Inspect the brake discs for surface rust or scoring and verify that the pads have sufficient thickness, as standing periods can cause disc corrosion and uneven pad wear. Finally, test the 12‑volt battery voltage under load, examine electrolyte levels if it is a conventional lead‑acid unit, and confirm that engine oil, coolant and brake fluid have been changed within the recommended service intervals, as time‑based fluid degradation is common in vehicles with low mileage but long service lives.