2011 Toyota Aygo 1.0L Petrol · SV61 MVR

Corrosion is the defining mechanical story of this Aygo, and it has escalated from advisory-level surface rust to structural failures in consecutive years. The 2024 test noted age-related corrosion to the suspension and chassis, and by July 2025 the car failed on a seriously weakened front sub-frame, an excessively corroded nearside brake pipe running front to rear, and a significantly worn front brake disc. The July 2026 test then failed again on the nearside rear suspension mounting area, where the outer sill was holed and structural strength significantly reduced, alongside an inoperative offside rear parking brake, excessive handbrake lever travel, and lighting faults. The car passed on retest on 22 July 2026 with no defects recorded, meaning the structural repairs were completed to test standard, but a buyer should treat this as a vehicle with an active, advancing corrosion history rather than a resolved one. At 86,519 miles over roughly fifteen years, the car has averaged under 6,000 miles annually, a low accumulation rate consistent with short urban journeys. Testing has been annual and consistent each July with no gaps, so the mileage record appears coherent. Low annual mileage on a small city car typically means less wear on engine and transmission internals, but it does nothing to arrest rust, and the record here demonstrates that clearly: brake pipes, the front sub-frame, and the rear sill have all degraded despite modest use. Short-trip running also keeps brake discs and drums lightly loaded, which is consistent with the recurring brake-related findings across 2023, 2025, and 2026. For a test drive, the priority is verifying the quality of the recent structural repairs. Inspect the nearside outer sill and rear suspension mounting area for fresh weld repairs, checking that welds are continuous, dressed, and protected with underseal rather than left bare, and examine the front sub-frame replaced or repaired after the 2025 failure for the same standard of finish. With the handbrake, confirm the lever engages firmly within a few clicks and holds the car on an incline, since the July 2026 failure cited both an inoperative offside rear brake and excessive lever travel indicating incorrect adjustment; any sponginess, uneven holding, or the car creeping on a hill suggests the rear brake mechanism or cables still need attention. Listen for scraping or feel for pedal judder under braking, given the previously worn front disc. Beyond the corrosion items, the record shows recurring minor faults worth a quick check: anti-roll bar ball joint dust covers deteriorated on both sides in 2023, and worn front anti-roll bar linkages were advised in 2022, so listen for knocking or rattling from the front over uneven surfaces. Registration plate lamps have failed in three separate years (2022, 2025, and 2026), a trivial fix but worth verifying all lamps function. The rear tyres were advised as perishing in 2022, so confirm they have since been replaced. Overall this is a usable, low-mileage city car that currently holds a clean pass, but its value and longevity hinge entirely on whether the rust repairs are durable, so a thorough underside inspection, ideally on a ramp, is strongly recommended before purchase.