2007 Toyota Yaris 1.3L Petrol · SM07 RPO

A pattern of progressive corrosion and recurring suspension wear dominates this Yaris's MOT history, with the most recent pass on 12 November 2025 continuing a theme of advisories that have accumulated consistently over the last four recorded tests. The underbody corrosion first noted in 2022 has clearly not been arrested, with the November 2025 test now flagging a corroded rear coil spring and a corroded front suspension arm, alongside worn front brake discs and a worn front anti-roll bar pin or bush. Two failures within the recorded window are also significant: a fractured nearside front coil spring in November 2022, which is a structural and safety-critical item, and repeat engine management lamp illumination in November 2023 and November 2024. While each failure was rectified sufficiently to pass on the same day, the persistence of the MIL issue across two consecutive annual tests suggests an underlying sensor, emission, or catalyst fault that has not been conclusively resolved. The CV joint boot deterioration, flagged as a Minor in both 2024 and 2025, is also unresolved and warrants close attention. Mileage accumulation over the vehicle's nineteen-year life is roughly typical for its age, with 135,632 miles recorded at the last test, equating to an average of around 7,139 miles per year. There are no extended gaps between tests that would suggest long periods off the road, and the consistent year-on-year attendance implies regular use. That said, a Yaris of this vintage covering over 135,000 miles will have reached the stage where age-related degradation of rubber and metal components begins to outpace simple wear, and the MOT record bears this out. The combination of moderate-to-high mileage and nineteen years of service means that even items not yet flagged, such as the rear brake components, exhaust hangers, and engine mounts, should be considered approaching the end of their functional life. On a physical inspection, particular attention should be paid to the underside, given the progression from a single underbody corrosion advisory in 2022 to specific component-level corrosion advisories on the rear coil spring and front suspension arm by 2025. A torch examination of the spring pans, lower wishbones, subframe mounting points, and brake pipe runs is essential, with any surface scale, flaking, or perforation noted as a likely candidate for future failure. The front brake discs should be measured for remaining thickness and checked for lipping or hot-spots through the wheels, while the anti-roll bar bushes can be assessed by rocking the vehicle side-to-side and listening for clonks or feeling for slack at the bar ends. The fractured coil spring recorded in 2022, although repaired and not recurring on that side, indicates the offside rear and remaining front spring should be inspected for any signs of sagging, paint cracking, or rust pitting. During a road test, the deteriorated CV boots recorded in both 2024 and 2025 are a priority check. Listen for a rhythmic clicking or knocking from the front wheels during full-lock manoeuvres, which would indicate grease loss and impending joint failure. The persistent MIL issue warrants a pre-purchase diagnostic read of the ECU fault codes to confirm whether the lamp has been extinguished by a genuine repair or simply cleared without remedy. On the move, the vehicle should be driven over uneven surfaces to detect any clonks or knocking from the front suspension that would confirm slack in the anti-roll bar bushes or worn drop links, while heavy braking from speed should produce a firm, straight stop without judder, pulling, or pulsing through the pedal that would indicate the pitted front discs have reached their service limit.