2016 Toyota Yaris 1.5L Hybrid electric (clean) · WM65 YYZ

A spotless DVSA test record spanning five consecutive annual examinations, with the most recent pass recorded on 6 January 2026 carrying no advisories or defects, presents an unusually clean picture of long-term roadworthiness for this 2016 Toyota Yaris. Five straight passes without a single advisory item is uncommon for a car now ten years old, and suggests that whatever wear items have been accumulating have either been replaced prior to test or have not yet reached the threshold at which examiners flag them. While this track record is reassuring, it is worth noting that the MOT is a minimum safety and emissions standard rather than a comprehensive mechanical health check, and a clean sheet does not eliminate the possibility of components that are aging but not yet at failure point. The overall trajectory is one of stable compliance with no deterioration visible in the official record. The mileage profile is notably restrained, with the recorded odometer showing only 28,901 miles across a ten-year life, equating to roughly 2,890 miles annually. This is well below the typical accumulation rate for a vehicle of this age and indicates either limited use, a predominantly short-journey role, or extended periods of standing. Mechanically, low annual mileage of this nature means that wear-related components such as brake discs, pads, tyres, clutches, and drivetrain parts will have experienced far less cumulative friction than a higher-mileage equivalent, which is positive for longevity. However, very low mileage can also allow issues like perishing rubber components, dried suspension bushes, corrosion in less-used areas of the braking system, and moisture accumulation in the engine to develop without being masked by regular high-mileage use. The consecutive annual tests with no gaps suggest the vehicle has not been declared SORN or laid up for long unbroken periods, which is reassuring. For a prospective buyer, the lack of advisories in the history means there are no specific components flagged for follow-up, which limits the ability to direct a pre-purchase inspection toward known weaknesses. Attention should nonetheless focus on the items most likely to show their age on a low-mileage Toyota of this generation, including the rear suspension bushes, front lower suspension arms and anti-roll bar linkages, and the condition of the coil springs. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly at low speed over speed humps, and feel for any vagueness or knocking through the steering rack under load. Inspect the underside, especially around the subframe mounting points, exhaust hangers, and brake pipe runs, for any surface corrosion that has not yet progressed to a test failure point. The braking system warrants physical inspection regardless of the clean MOT record, as brake discs and pads can suffer from light corrosion pitting when a vehicle sees predominantly gentle use. On the test drive, check for any judder through the pedal under firm braking, which can indicate distorted discs, and listen for any grinding or scraping that might suggest worn pads or a binding caliper. Inspect the tyres for both tread depth and any signs of uneven wear or sidewall cracking, as low-mileage cars sometimes develop perishing on older rubber that has simply aged rather than worn out. Finally, examine the engine bay for any oil seepage from the valve cover gasket or oil filter housing, and confirm that the coolant and oil levels are correct and clean, as a well-presented test history can sometimes mask gradual fluid leaks that have been topped up rather than repaired.