2001 Toyota Yaris 1.0L Petrol · WF51 AON

A clear pattern of front suspension wear dominates the MOT history of this 25-year-old Toyota Yaris, with the anti-roll bar linkage bushes on both sides flagged as worn across multiple consecutive tests in 2021 and 2022 before culminating in an excessive wear Major failure on the nearside front linkage at the most recent test on 21 August 2024. That same day the vehicle also passed its MOT once the defect was presumably rectified, though all the underlying advisories from that date including the front lower suspension arm corrosion on both sides and rear sub-frame corrosion remain recorded against the vehicle. The progression from advisory wear in 2021 and 2022 to a Major failure in 2024 indicates an escalating deterioration of the front anti-roll bar bushes rather than a stable or improving condition, and the simultaneous emergence of structural advisories on the front suspension arms and rear sub-frame axle beam suggests that corrosion-related deterioration is now an active concern across multiple chassis areas. Only the 2023 test escapes this trend with nothing flagged beyond the recurring registration plate deterioration advisory, which provides limited reassurance given the broader pattern. The recorded mileage of 72,311 miles against the vehicle's age implies an average annual accumulation of roughly 2,892 miles, which is notably low for a car of this vintage and consistent with either light use or extended periods of stationary storage. MOT testing shows relatively continuous annual coverage from 2021 through 2024, indicating the vehicle has remained on the road and in use throughout this period, but the absence of any earlier test entries in the supplied record means the full service and maintenance history prior to 2021 cannot be verified from MOT data alone. Low annual mileage reduces wear on high-cycle components such as the engine, clutch and gearbox internals, but it can accelerate corrosion on underbody and suspension components, particularly on a car now entering its third decade where factory underseal and protective coatings have typically degraded. The simultaneous appearance of sub-frame and suspension arm corrosion advisories in 2024 is consistent with the kind of oxidation that develops gradually on lightly used vehicles exposed to winter road salt. A prospective buyer should focus the pre-purchase inspection on the front anti-roll bar system, as this is the area with documented and progressive deterioration. On a test drive, listen for clonking or rattling noises from the front suspension over speed humps, uneven road surfaces and during direction changes, and feel for vagueness or imprecise turn-in response that could indicate worn linkage bushes allowing excessive anti-roll bar movement. With both front lower suspension arms and the rear sub-frame axle beam now carrying corrosion advisories, a physical examination from underneath the vehicle is strongly advised, ideally on a ramp, to check for any progression beyond surface corrosion such as scaling, flaking metal or perforation around the rear beam mounting points and front arm attachment bushes. The nearside front outer tyre was previously flagged as worn on the edge, suggesting a possible geometry or suspension geometry issue, so any uneven tyre wear across the full set should prompt a four-wheel alignment check. The rear nearside wheel bearing was noted as slightly noisy in 2021 and warrants a road test listening for any hum, drone or rumble that increases with speed or changes when cornering, as bearing noise typically progresses rather than resolves. Brake components on a vehicle of this age and mileage should be inspected for disc lipping, pad wear and any binding calipers, particularly given the front suspension work that may have been required at the 2024 test. The headlamp lens misting advisory from 2022 should also be visually confirmed, as degraded lens clarity reduces night-time illumination and is a common MOT failure point on vehicles of this era. Finally, the front registration plate deterioration advisory has appeared on three consecutive tests and is likely to become a failure in due course, so replacement of the plate is an inexpensive but worthwhile rectification before the next test.