2016 Toyota Yaris 1.5L Hybrid electric · RX16 EXA

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 13 March 2026, with no failures recorded across the inspection history. However, the latest test did generate five advisories, which when considered alongside the previous two tests indicates a maintenance trend that is broadly stable but with persistent and recurring wear items rather than a picture of improvement. The same suspension arm pin and bush advisories have now appeared on multiple corners over three consecutive tests, and brake disc pitting has been flagged on the front axle for three years running and on the rear axle for two of those years. While none of these issues were deemed serious enough to fail the vehicle, the consistency of the advisories suggests that these components are progressively wearing and will likely require attention within the next service interval. A prospective buyer should not interpret a clean pass as evidence of a mechanically perfect car; the advisory trail tells a more nuanced story of gradual component degradation. The recorded mileage of 94,908 miles over approximately ten years equates to an average of around 9,491 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and segment. There are no unusual gaps or sudden spikes in the recorded odometer readings, which lends confidence to the consistency of the mileage history and reduces concern about potential clocking or prolonged periods of standing. That said, at nearly 95,000 miles, this Yaris will be approaching the point where certain wear-and-tear items such as the timing chain, clutch, and exhaust system may begin to require closer scrutiny, particularly given Toyota's reputation for longevity which can sometimes mask underlying wear in high-mileage examples. The recurring suspension arm bush advisories across the nearside front, offside front, and nearside rear warrant particular attention. These components, often referred to as lower wishbone or trailing arm bushes, deteriorate gradually with age and mileage, allowing slack to develop in the suspension geometry. On a test drive, a buyer should listen for clonks or knocks over speed humps, uneven bumps, or when turning at low speed, and should be alert to vague or wandering steering response and uneven front tyre wear, which often accompanies worn suspension bushes. Given that three corners have been flagged over successive tests, budgeting for a full set of suspension bushes and a four-wheel alignment within the next 12 months would be a prudent consideration. The brake disc pitting advisories, now present on both axles for two consecutive years, indicate surface corrosion and wear that has not yet compromised structural integrity but is unlikely to reverse itself. On test, the buyer should pay attention to any brake shudder or vibration through the steering wheel under firm braking, any grinding or pulsating sensation through the brake pedal, and any tendency for the car to pull to one side under braking, all of which would suggest the discs have worn beyond acceptable limits. The nearside front tyre advisory from the latest test is also worth noting, as uneven edge wear can be symptomatic of the very suspension bush wear being flagged, or of misalignment following recent suspension component replacement. Beyond the MOT record, a ten-year-old Yaris with this mileage should be physically inspected for age-related deterioration including perishing or cracking of tyre sidewalls even where tread depth appears adequate, corrosion of brake calipers and seized slider pins from seasonal use, condition of the 12V battery which typically requires replacement every five to seven years, and verification that brake fluid, coolant, and gearbox oil have been changed in line with calendar-based service schedules rather than purely mileage intervals. A thorough test drive including emergency braking, motorway-speed stability, and low-speed manoeuvring over uneven surfaces will be essential to confirm that the advisory items remain within acceptable limits and have not progressed since the March 2026 inspection.