2001 Toyota Yaris 1.3L Petrol · RO51 OVA

The vehicle presents a concerning roadworthiness profile with a maintenance trend that suggests a reactive rather than proactive approach. While it passed its most recent test in September 2024 at 126,469 miles, this followed a significant failure on the same day involving multiple mechanical and lighting defects. The persistence of a defective parking brake lever into the 2024 test, despite being flagged previously in 2023, indicates that certain faults are only addressed when they fail an inspection rather than being maintained during routine servicing. At 25 years old, the recorded mileage of 126,469 miles is remarkably low, averaging approximately 5,000 miles per year. The data shows a consistent rate of use between 2022 and 2024, with the vehicle covering roughly 7,000 miles in that two-year period. However, the low mileage often correlates with age-related degradation, as evidenced by the perishing tyres and corroded components noted in the 2023 records. The vehicle likely sits for long periods, which can lead to environmental wear rather than mechanical wear. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the suspension system, as the history shows recurring issues with worn anti-roll bar linkage pins and bushes on both sides. The 2023 failure highlighted a fractured offside rear coil spring and corrosion on the nearside spring, suggesting the suspension components are susceptible to rust. The buyer should also inspect the nearside wheel bearing, which was noted as rough in 2023, and verify the integrity of the fuel cap sealing device which caused a failure in the 2024 test. Given the age of the vehicle, a close check for structural corrosion on the sills and floor is essential to ensure the low mileage has not masked hidden rot.