2005 Toyota Yaris 1.4L Diesel · MJ55 DNN

A clear pattern emerges from the MOT history of this 2005 Toyota Yaris: the vehicle has consistently passed every annual test since 2015, but a recurring advisory has followed the front anti-roll bar linkage across multiple inspections. Both the nearside and offside front linkage pins or bushes were flagged for wear in 2017, 2018, and again at the most recent test on 24 September 2022, while a separate structural advisory was raised in 2021 for corrosion to a nearside rear inner integral body section. No further advisories have been issued on that body area, suggesting the corrosion has not progressed significantly, but the repetition on the anti-roll bar components indicates a wear pattern that the previous keeper did not address before sale. With no MOT entries shown for 2023, 2024, or 2025 in the supplied record, the prospective buyer should confirm whether the vehicle has been tested annually or whether it has stood untested for a period, as the absence of recent data means current condition cannot be verified from DVSA records alone. The recorded mileage of 99,798 against an age of roughly twenty-one years equates to an annual accumulation of around 4,750 miles, which is notably low for the vehicle's age and points to either extended periods of inactivity or predominantly short, light use. Such low usage often correlates with deterioration of components that suffer from standing rather than wear, including brake discs corroding on the friction surface, dry or cracked rubber boots on suspension and drivetrain joints, and the premature ageing of tyres through sidewall cracking rather than tread wear. The 2015 test recorded exactly this kind of issue, with both front tyres and the offside rear tyre flagged for shoulder cracking at the legal tread limit, suggesting the rubber had aged in situ rather than wearing through use. Although no tyre advisories have appeared since, the low-mileage context means a buyer should pay particular attention to the condition of any currently fitted tyres, including those on the spare wheel. The recurring front anti-roll bar linkage advisories are the most concrete area of concern to investigate on a physical inspection. The anti-roll bar links connect the bar to the dampers and control body roll through corners, and worn bushes or pins typically produce a clonking or knocking noise from the front suspension when driving over uneven surfaces, speed bumps, or when turning into a driveway. With the advisories showing wear on both sides across three separate tests, the bushes are likely to have deteriorated further since 2022, and a test drive over rough roads should be used to listen for any knocking, particularly over potholes or while cornering briskly. If the wear has now reached the point of excessive movement, the links will require replacement, which is a relatively inexpensive repair on a Yaris but worth negotiating into any purchase price. On the nearside rear inner body corrosion noted in 2021, a close visual inspection of the rear inner arches, boot floor, and around the suspension mounting points is advisable to confirm that surface corrosion has not advanced into load-bearing structure since the last recorded inspection. The remaining MOT history is otherwise unremarkable, with clean passes in 2016, 2019, and 2020 recording no defects at all, and a single 2015 advisory concerning a partially failed high-level brake light which is likely to have been a straightforward bulb replacement. Given the low annual mileage, particular attention should also be given to the braking system on a test drive: seized or binding front calipers are common on lightly used vehicles and often present as a pulling sensation under braking, uneven pad wear visible through the wheel, or a brake disc with a pronounced lip on its outer edge. A firm brake pedal with no sponginess, together with even pull to both sides, would indicate the system remains in serviceable order despite the long gaps between annual tests. The combination of a structurally sound overall record, persistent anti-roll bar wear, and a usage pattern that favours standing over driving means a hands-on inspection is more informative than the MOT file alone, and any signs of suspension knocking or braking irregularity should be factored into the valuation.