2009 Toyota Auris 1.6L Petrol · RO09 UPP

The most recent MOT on 6 July 2026 was passed with no recorded defects, indicating that the vehicle presently meets the statutory safety and emissions standards. Over the preceding six years the MOT record shows a mixture of failures and advisories, particularly in 2024 where the rear parking brake, brake balance and several lighting items were flagged as major failures, but subsequent tests in 2025 and 2026 show only advisory notes and a clean pass. This pattern suggests that remedial work has been carried out and the overall maintenance trend is moving from a period of neglect toward a more stable condition, although the persistence of advisory items points to areas that still require monitoring. At 187 681 miles recorded for a 2009 model the vehicle averages roughly 11 000 miles per year, which is within the normal usage envelope for a car of this age. There is no evidence of a sudden mileage surge that would indicate a period of heavy short‑term use, nor are there large gaps that would suggest prolonged storage. The mileage level implies that wear items such as engine bearings, transmission components, suspension bushings and brake pads will be in the later stages of their service life and should be inspected for excessive play, noise or reduced performance. When you inspect the car, give particular attention to the braking system. Verify that the hand‑brake on the nearside operates firmly and that the rear brakes on each axle feel balanced when applied; any pulling to one side, pulsation or a soft pedal could be a sign that the earlier brake‑imbalance failure has not been fully corrected. Check the front shock absorber on the off‑side for any oil seepage around the top seal, as even a slight leak can lead to reduced damping and a noticeable clunk or squatting under braking. Examine all tyre surfaces for the inner‑edge wear highlighted in the advisories and measure tread depth – a depth of 3–4 mm is approaching the legal minimum and, combined with the pattern of inner‑edge wear, may indicate mis‑alignment or worn suspension components that could produce a pulling sensation on a test drive. Test all exterior lighting – rear parking‑brake lamp, position lamps, side repeaters and headlamp levelling – to ensure they illuminate correctly; intermittent operation can be a symptom of corroded connectors or failing bulbs that were previously recorded as major faults. Given the vehicle’s age, also conduct age‑related checks beyond the MOT items. Inspect the tyre sidewalls for cracking or dry‑rot, as rubber can deteriorate after ten years regardless of tread depth. Examine the 12‑volt battery for swelling, terminal corrosion and verify its charge hold, especially if the car has spent periods idle. Look for signs of fluid degradation – milky or discoloured coolant, brake fluid that appears dark, and oil that smells burnt – and consider a full fluid change if service records are absent or the last change predates the two‑year interval recommended for brake fluid. Finally, confirm that the timing chain (the Auris is equipped with a chain rather than a belt) shows no excessive rattling and that the service book contains stamps for regular oil and filter changes, as these are key indicators that the engine’s internal wear has been managed appropriately.