2020 Toyota Yaris 1.5L Hybrid electric · SA20 HPP

The vehicle's roadworthiness status is currently valid following a pass on 3 March 2026 at 25,764 miles, though the maintenance trend shows deterioration rather than improvement. The March 2026 test returned with three advisories: both rear tyres worn close to the legal limit with edge wear, front brake discs worn, pitted or scored, and nearside rear service brake fluctuating. These issues persisted from the previous day's failure, indicating partial remediation rather than comprehensive repair. The failure on 2 March 2026 revealed a cluster of serious defects: both front tyres below the 1.6mm tread depth requirement, both rear tyres at the legal limit, significantly worn rear brake discs, worn front brake discs, fluctuating nearside rear service brake, and excessively worn suspension arm pins or bushes on both front sides. The suspension arm bush deterioration is particularly notable, having progressed from "worn but not resulting in excessive movement" in March 2025 to "excessively worn" one year later. Mileage accumulation has been exceptionally low and consistent, averaging approximately 4,300 miles annually over six years. The odometer advanced from 11,762 miles in March 2023 to 16,409 miles in March 2024, then to 21,552 miles in March 2025, and finally to 25,764 miles in March 2026. This represents remarkably uniform annual increments of roughly 4,200 to 5,200 miles. Such low mileage can indicate gentle urban use, but it also raises the possibility of extended stationary periods. The clean records from 2023 and 2024 suggest the vehicle passed without mechanical concerns during that period, yet the absence of recorded advisories in those years may also reflect limited disclosure rather than pristine condition. The brake system demands particular scrutiny. Rear brake discs were flagged as worn, pitted or scored in March 2025, then escalated to "significantly and obviously worn" by March 2026, while front discs remained persistently worn across both 2025 and 2026 tests. The fluctuating nearside rear service brake, present in both March 2026 tests, points to possible caliper seizure, contaminated brake fluid, or uneven pad wear. Given that rear discs deteriorated from advisory to failure grade within twelve months, the entire braking system requires professional assessment of pad material, disc thickness, caliper operation, and hydraulic integrity. Suspension wear presents another escalating concern. Front suspension arm pins or bushes deteriorated from worn but serviceable in March 2025 to excessively worn in March 2026, directly contributing to the failure. This twelve-month progression suggests either accelerated wear from deteriorated road surfaces or deferred replacement of a known weakness. Tyre maintenance has been inadequate: front tyres failed on tread depth in 2026 despite cracking and perishing warnings in 2025, while rear tyres have remained at or near the legal limit across consecutive tests. A prospective buyer should verify that suspension arm bushes have been replaced with quality components, inspect for associated tyre wear patterns indicating misalignment, confirm all brake discs and pads meet manufacturer specifications, and examine whether the vehicle's low annual mileage has resulted in age-related degradation of rubber components, brake fluid, or exhaust emissions systems.