1997 Toyota Starlet 1.3L Petrol · R257 CMA

The most recent MOT on 2022-09-26 recorded a pass but noted ongoing issues: an inoperative offside registration plate lamp, an oil leak, and general underbody corrosion. These defects suggest persistent maintenance needs, particularly with lighting systems and undercarriage integrity. The prior MOT on 2022-09-21, just five days earlier, resulted in a fail with multiple critical faults, including a split drive shaft boot, rough and noisy wheel bearings, and a non-functional parking brake. These issues indicate significant mechanical degradation, likely linked to age and low mileage. The pattern of defects shows recurring problems with suspension components (wheel bearings, drive shaft), braking systems (parking brake inefficiency, brake imbalance), and underbody corrosion. While the 2022-09-26 pass suggests some repairs were made, the same oil leak and corrosion reappeared, implying unresolved underlying issues. The 2021-09-15 pass had minor exhaust and parking brake defects, but the 2021-09-13 fail highlighted severe brake binding and imbalance, pointing to inconsistent maintenance. The 2020 MOT was clean, but this was over two years before the latest tests, leaving a gap in recorded condition. The vehicle’s low mileage (4,710 miles annually) raises questions about usage. While it may reflect light use, it could also indicate periods of inactivity, which can exacerbate corrosion and component stiffness.