1999 Toyota Yaris 1.0L Petrol · V726 FDL

A recurring front suspension and brake balance concern sits at the centre of this 1999 Toyota Yaris's MOT history, with the offside front seat belt webbing also flagged at the last two tests as slightly damaged or frayed. Six MOT tests are recorded, with the most recent pass on 5 January 2026 carrying only that single belt webbing advisory, matching the same item raised at the 22 November 2024 retest. Prior to that, the 2024 entry on the same date was a failure caused by both front headlamps projecting an obviously incorrect beam image, a repair that has not recurred. The underlying pattern, however, is the consistent appearance of nearside and offside front anti-roll bar linkage wear, front brake imbalance, nearside front tyre perishing and a deteriorating rear number plate across the 2022 and 2023 tests, including a dangerous failure in January 2022 for an offside front tyre with a structural tear. The narrative therefore is one of broadly passing roadworthiness but with the same front-end components repeatedly flagged as worn, alongside a seat belt issue that has now been carried forward across two consecutive tests. Annual mileage works out at roughly 3,500 miles against a 27-year vehicle age, which is notably low and points to either light use or extended periods off the road. There are no large mileage jumps in the recorded tests, but the gap between the 2021 pass and the 2022 tests, followed by relatively even annual mileage thereafter, suggests a fairly sedentary working life rather than sustained long-distance use. Mechanically, low annual mileage on a vehicle of this age reduces wear on the engine and drivetrain internals but increases the risk of corrosion to underbody components, seized brake calipers from infrequent use, and perishing of rubber items such as tyres and bushes, all of which are consistent with the advisories actually recorded here. A prospective buyer should focus their physical inspection on the front suspension and braking system, given the repeated advisories. The anti-roll bar linkage pins and bushes were flagged on both sides at both the 2022 and 2023 tests, so listen and feel for clonks or looseness over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and check visually for perished or cracked rubber bushes with any visible play at the bar ends. The front brake imbalance advisory at the same two tests suggests the system was only just passing, so on a test drive expect a reasonably firm pedal, no pulling to either side under moderate braking, and no signs of binding after the car has been driven. Inspect the nearside front tyre sidewall in particular for cracking and perishing, as this has been flagged at three consecutive tests, and bear in mind that the dangerous 2022 failure was caused by a structural tyre separation, so any bulges or exposed cord should be treated seriously. The seat belt webbing issue on the offside front has now appeared at two successive MOTs, so examine the belt carefully for fraying, cuts, or flattened weave, and confirm full retraction without snagging. The headlamp aim failure on both sides in late 2024 was a straightforward adjustment and repair, but it is worth confirming both lamps are correctly aligned and that the beam pattern sits below the horizontal cutoff on a level surface, as incorrect projection can also indicate a deteriorated lens or a loose adjuster. Finally, the deteriorating rear number plate advisory from 2022 and 2023 has not reappeared at the more recent tests, but check that the plate is still legible and securely affixed, and inspect the underbody and wheel arches for any corrosion, given the age and low mileage profile of this vehicle.