2010 Toyota Yaris 1.3L Petrol · SH10 HSN

The most recent DVSA MOT test, conducted on 26 February 2026, resulted in a Pass, although two advisories were noted against the vehicle. These advisories relate to slight perishing and cracking on the nearside rear tyre and wear on an offside front suspension arm pin or bush that, at the time of testing, was not deemed to have resulted in excessive movement. Looking at the broader MOT history, the maintenance trend appears broadly stable with a minor deterioration just prior to the latest test. The vehicle passed cleanly in 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025, but a presentation failure related to the registration plate lamp in June 2024 and a more significant Major defect failure in February 2026 indicate that some wear items are now beginning to surface. The February 2026 failure specifically cited an inoperative registration plate lamp and a nearside front suspension arm pin or bush that was excessively worn, the latter of which constitutes a structural and safety-related concern requiring immediate rectification. The recorded mileage of 76,898 miles against a vehicle age of approximately 16 years equates to an annual average of around 4,800 miles, which is notably low for a car of this vintage. Such low usage is mechanically significant: while it reduces wear on high-mileage components such as the clutch, engine internals, and drivetrain, it increases the likelihood of degradation through standing or infrequent use. The MOT history supports this profile, with relatively short gaps between tests and no evidence of rapid mileage accumulation between consecutive tests. However, low annual mileage often correlates with calendar-based deterioration rather than wear-based deterioration, particularly affecting components such as brake discs, tyres, coolant, brake fluid, and the 12V battery. Prospective buyers should pay close attention to the recurring advisories relating to the front suspension components. The nearside front suspension arm bush has now been identified twice across two consecutive tests, escalating from an advisory at the previous test to a Major failure in February 2026 before being addressed sufficiently to achieve a Pass on the retest. On a test drive, the buyer should listen for any clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension, particularly over speed bumps or uneven surfaces, and observe whether the vehicle tracks straight without wandering. The offside front bush was also noted as worn in the latest test, so both sides warrant a physical inspection, ideally with the vehicle raised, to assess the extent of play in the bushes and pins. Replacement of suspension bushes on a vehicle of this age is a foreseeable maintenance item and the cost should be factored into any purchase decision. Additionally, the front brake disc was previously flagged as slightly lipped in 2023, and although this was not deemed excessive at the time, lipping tends to progress and may now be more pronounced, manifesting as brake shudder or vibration through the steering wheel under braking. Beyond the recorded advisories, the age and low-mileage profile of this Yaris warrant several physical checks that do not necessarily appear in MOT records. The nearside rear tyre has been flagged for cracking or perishing on the most recent test, and tyres on a low-mileage sixteen-year-old vehicle are particularly susceptible to sidewall perishing due to age rather than tread wear; the buyer should inspect all four tyres carefully for cracks in the sidewall rubber and verify that none are older than the vehicle's age would suggest. The brake pipes were noted in 2021 as having corroded unshielded sections, an advisory that should not be ignored given that brake line corrosion is progressive and safety-critical. The vehicle should be inspected from underneath, or by a mechanic on a ramp, to confirm the current condition of these pipes. Other age-related items to verify include the condition of the exhaust system for corrosion and hanging rubbers, the state of the coolant and brake fluid in terms of service history, and the health of the 12V battery, which on a low-mileage car may have suffered from prolonged standing and could require imminent replacement. Finally, given the relatively clean recent MOT history with isolated minor advisories, the vehicle presents as fundamentally sound, but the identified suspension wear is the primary mechanical concern that should be addressed prior to purchase.