2008 Toyota Yaris 1.3L Petrol · PL08 TWC

The vehicle was most recently presented for MOT on 17 February 2026 and achieved a PASS with no defects or advisories recorded, suggesting that the corrective work undertaken following the earlier failed test was effective. Reviewing the recent history, the car has passed five of its last six tests without issue, with the only substantive mechanical failure being the offside front coil spring fracture noted on 11 February 2025. That defect was rectified ahead of the subsequent pass on 12 February 2025, and the absence of any recurrence or related advisories in the 2026 examination indicates that the suspension repair was carried out to a satisfactory standard and that no further symptoms have manifested at this point. Overall the trend is stable rather than worsening, although it should be noted that the coil spring failure represents a structural safety item which warrants continued attention in future inspections. With a recorded mileage of 39,206 miles across approximately 18 years, this Yaris has been used extremely sparingly, averaging only around 2,178 miles per year. This figure is well below the typical annual mileage for a vehicle of this type and almost certainly reflects long periods of standing interspersed with relatively short journeys. Mechanically, low annual usage of this nature is not necessarily advantageous; standing accelerates certain age-dependent deterioration processes that are not mileage related. The risk profile includes perishing of tyre sidewalls from UV exposure and ozone, surface corrosion on brake discs leading to judder or uneven braking on first application, seizing or binding of brake calipers from lack of use, and degradation of the 12 volt battery through repeated shallow discharge cycles. Coolant, brake fluid and clutch hydraulic fluid also deteriorate on a calendar basis regardless of mileage, and service schedules are typically time- rather than distance-limited for this reason. Given the low mileage and the absence of recorded advisories, a prospective buyer should focus on age-related condition rather than expecting the wear patterns associated with high-mileage examples. Inspect all four tyres closely for sidewall cracking, checking for fine crazing, brittleness or bulges, and confirm that the manufacturing date code on the sidewall is not excessively old, as tyres over six years of age should generally be replaced regardless of remaining tread depth. The 12 volt battery should be load-tested, as a marginal unit may start the car during a short viewing yet fail shortly afterwards; any existing diagnostic trouble codes or sluggish cranking are indicative of imminent replacement. Brake discs and calipers should be examined for pitting corrosion and free movement of the sliding mechanisms, and a firm brake pedal with no sponginess should be confirmed, along with fluid condition and age. Equally important, request evidence of time-based servicing such as annual oil and filter changes regardless of mileage, replacement of brake fluid every two years, and coolant renewal at the manufacturer specified cycle, as a low-mileage vehicle that has been serviced on mileage alone may have severely aged fluids still in situ. On a test drive, listen carefully for any clonks, knocks or metallic rattles from the front suspension, particularly over speed humps and uneven surfaces, as a fractured coil spring can lead to compromised secondary components such as the strut, top mount and tyre due to uneven loading. The fractured spring previously recorded was on the offside front, so particular attention should be paid to that corner, including inspection of the tyre for uneven wear which might indicate the spring had been failing progressively. Verify that the steering remains straight and that the car tracks true without pulling, and check for any play in the front wheel bearings or suspension joints, which can advance quickly on older low-mileage vehicles. Finally, ensure the windscreen washer system is fully functional and topped up, as this trivial but testable item resulted in a previous failure, and confirm that all warning lamps extinguish correctly after the engine is started.