2018 Toyota C-HR 1.8L Hybrid electric (clean) · WU18 KYV

A single dangerous rear brake pad failure in mid-2024 punctuates an otherwise unremarkable MOT record for this 2018 Toyota C-HR, but the surrounding history shows that wear items have been allowed to progress close to legal limits on multiple occasions. Between 2022 and early 2026 the vehicle has passed every test, with the most recent examination on 28 May 2026 recorded as a pass alongside a single advisory noting that the front and rear suspension and body components are coated in underseal. Earlier advisories include front brake discs worn and pitted on both sides in February 2026, rear brake pads wearing thin in July 2023, and recurring rear tyre sidewall perishing flagged in both 2022 and 2023. The pattern points to a car whose consumables, particularly braking components and tyres, have consistently been driven to the lower end of their service life before being renewed, with the 2024 dangerous pad failure representing the only occasion this trend resulted in a test failure. Recorded mileage stands at 72,008 miles across eight years, equating to an average accumulation of roughly 9,000 miles per year, which sits close to what would be expected for a vehicle of this age. The mileage progression between tests is steady rather than erratic, with no apparent gaps in annual MOT testing since 2021 and no signs of the car having been laid up for extended periods. This kind of consistent, moderate usage is generally kinder to drivetrain and suspension components than very low annual mileage with long standing periods, but it does mean that wear-related items such as brake pads, discs and tyres are being replaced on a predictable cycle. The advisory regarding underseal on the suspension components may have been applied to mask early surface corrosion on the underside, which is a known consideration for C-HR models that have seen regular winter road use. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the braking system, given the history of pad wear reaching dangerous levels and the recent advisory on the front discs. On a test drive, listen for any binding or rubbing from the calipers on a cold start, particularly from the rear axle where the pads have been flagged. Under moderate braking, feel for any vibration or judder through the pedal that would suggest the front discs have worn beyond their service limit despite passing, and check for uneven pulling to either side. The front discs should also be physically inspected for a pronounced lip at the outer edge, which would confirm the advisories and indicate imminent replacement. The tyres deserve close scrutiny, especially the rear sidewalls which have been repeatedly flagged for perishing and cracking. Inspect both rear tyres for hairline cracks running across the outer sidewall, and check the tread depth across the full width rather than just the central grooves. The suspension should be examined for any knocking over uneven road surfaces, particularly at the rear where the underseal coating could be concealing corrosion on the subframe mounting points, trailing arms or anti-roll bar linkages. A vehicle lift inspection is advisable to confirm the structural condition beneath the underseal, and any evidence of fresh fluid seepage around the rear brake calipers or flexible brake hoses should be noted, as these components are likely approaching replacement age on a car of this mileage.