2007 Toyota Yaris 1.8L Petrol · WN07 BCZ

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 6 February 2026, although the test was not entirely uneventful, as the examiner recorded five separate advisories covering structural corrosion and rear suspension wear. The 2025 renewal was similarly clean with the exception of a tyre perishing advisory, and the 2024 test passed on a retest after a windscreen wiper blade was replaced for a split element. Looking back further, the history shows one notable failure in early 2023 when a nearside rear coil spring fractured, which is a dangerous defect that would have resulted in a sudden loss of rear suspension support had it not been identified. Since that point the advisories have moved from a fractured spring and brake flanging through to a tyre condition note and now a cluster of chassis-related advisories, suggesting that while the car continues to pass, its older structural and suspension components are progressively reaching a point where closer attention will be required. With 95,955 miles recorded over approximately 19 years, the vehicle has averaged around 5,050 miles annually, which is substantially below typical usage for a car of this age and indicates either light regular use or extended periods of standing. Low annual mileage of this nature has particular mechanical implications, as prolonged inactivity tends to promote corrosion on unprotected steel components, degradation of rubber and polymer items through age rather than wear, and drying or oxidation of brake components and fluids. The mileage progression appears broadly consistent across the recorded tests, with no evidence of rapid accumulation or significant clocking concerns, and this gentle rate of use is generally favourable for major drivetrain components such as the engine, clutch, and gearbox, which will not have been subjected to excessive thermal or load cycling. Given the cluster of advisories recorded at the most recent test, a prospective buyer should focus particularly on the rear suspension and underbody condition. The advisories for nearside and offside rear suspension arm pin or bush wear suggest that the rubber bushes or pins within the rear axle assembly are beginning to deteriorate, and on a test drive this would typically present as a clonking or knocking noise over bumps, vague or wandering behaviour at speed, and possibly uneven tyre wear across the rear axle. The advisory covering surface rust to the floors and inner sills, alongside general corrosion to suspension arms, the rear axle, and springs, indicates that the vehicle is entering a phase where structural cosmetic corrosion is becoming established. This warrants a thorough visual inspection on a ramp or with the car jacked, checking that any corrosion remains surface level and has not advanced to a stage where structural integrity could be compromised, particularly around the inner sills, jacking points, and suspension mounting areas. The fuel pipe and filler corrosion advisory should also be investigated closely, as degraded fuel filler neck components can produce strong petrol smells and may eventually lead to leaks or emission failures. In addition to the specific advisories, the general age and low mileage profile of this Yaris demands several age-related inspection points that may not be captured in MOT data. Tyre sidewalls should be examined carefully for perishing and cracking, as the 2025 advisory regarding inner sidewall cracking demonstrates that rubber deterioration is already a live concern, and any tyre older than five years from its DOT date stamp should be viewed with caution regardless of tread depth. Given that the vehicle has spent considerable time stationary, the brake calipers and rear drums or discs should be checked for corrosion and seizure, as binding calipers are a common cause of pulling to one side under braking and can lead to uneven pad wear and reduced fuel economy. The 12V battery is likely to be approaching the end of its service life and should be load tested, particularly as low-mileage cars with frequent short trips often suffer from chronic undercharging. Finally, verify that the timing chain, coolant, brake fluid, and automatic transmission fluid if applicable have been changed in line with calendar-based service intervals rather than purely mileage-driven schedules, and confirm a complete service history with documented stamps to ensure that essential maintenance has not been overlooked during any extended periods of low use.