2006 Toyota Aygo 1.0L Petrol · WM06 NEJ

The most recent DVSA examination on 25 October 2025 resulted in a Pass, with two advisories recorded concerning slight perishing or damage to the nearside rear tyre and a defective exhaust mounting. Reviewing the broader test history, the overall maintenance trend shows intermittent periods of concern rather than steady deterioration. The vehicle passed cleanly in October 2024 and again in June 2020, but two failures within the intervening period, one Dangerous and one Major, indicate that significant wear items can progress rapidly if not addressed. The Dangerous failure of October 2023 for an excessively worn front tyre and a structurally compromised rear tyre, combined with a leaking rear shock absorber, demonstrates that consumables and suspension components on this Aygo demand close attention given its age. The fact that the vehicle subsequently passed after these repairs, with only minor advisories in the latest test, suggests the current owner has been proactive, though the recurring anti-roll bar wear across multiple tests indicates a persistent chassis issue worth further investigation. With a recorded mileage of 91,506 miles over a twenty-year lifespan, this Aygo averages approximately 4,575 miles annually, which is notably low for its age and suggests either extended periods of standing or genuinely light usage. There is a visible gap in MOT history between July 2021 and October 2023, spanning more than two years, during which the vehicle may have accumulated minimal mileage or have been off the road entirely. Such periods of inactivity commonly lead to brake disc surface corrosion, binding brake calipers due to seized pistons, and accelerated tyre sidewall perishing from age rather than wear. The relatively low annual mileage also means that time-based degradation of fluids, including brake fluid, coolant, and engine oil, is a greater concern than mileage-based servicing intervals, as these deteriorate through calendar ageing regardless of use. Given the recurring anti-roll bar pin and bush advisories recorded in 2023 and then upgraded to Major failures in October 2024, a prospective buyer should carefully inspect the front anti-roll bar mounting bushes and drop links for excessive play, splitting, or perished rubber. Listen for clunking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven road surfaces during a test drive, as these would confirm worn bushes or top mounts. The offside rear coil spring was previously rejected for serious corrosion weakening its cross-sectional area, so the springs on both rear corners should be visually inspected from beneath the vehicle for surface pitting, cracking, or flaking, particularly along the lower coils where moisture and road salt accumulate. A failing spring typically produces a sagging rear ride height and may produce audible creaking over bumps. Additional buyer guidance should focus on age-related items not always evident from MOT records. The latest advisory for nearside rear tyre perishing highlights the need to inspect all four tyres for sidewall cracking, bulging, or brittleness, as twenty-year-old tyres lose flexibility and grip regardless of remaining tread depth. The defective exhaust system noted should be checked for blowing gases at the manifold joint or front pipe mounting, listening for excessive exhaust noise or ticking at start-up. Inspect the rear shock absorbers for any seepage around the upper mount area, as a leaking damper was previously recorded, and check that the headlamp alignment is correct on dipped beam, given the earlier beam image failure. Finally, verify the service book for regular brake fluid changes and coolant renewals, confirm the 12V battery holds charge under load as aged batteries often struggle to crank intermittently used vehicles, and check that the front brake calipers release cleanly without the wheels binding after manual rotation when raised, as caliper slider corrosion is common on low-mileage cars of this vintage.