2010 Toyota IQ 1.0L Petrol · YP60 SXT

The DVSA record for this 2010 Toyota iQ presents an unusually clean mechanical profile, with the most recent test on 15 December 2025 recording a straightforward pass and no advisories. Looking back across the documented history, this pattern of defect-free passes is consistent from at least November 2022 onwards, interrupted only by a single failed attempt on 6 December 2023 that, notably, did not record any specific defect categories on the available log. Given that no advisories have been raised for tyres, brakes, suspension, exhaust integrity, or corrosion in any of the recent passes, there are no chronic wear points flagged by the examining station that a buyer would need to treat as an underlying mechanical concern. The vehicle is effectively presenting a clean bill of roadworthiness at every recorded interaction. Recorded mileage of 97,774 on a 16-year-old vehicle equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 6,100 miles, which sits comfortably within the expected range for a small urban-oriented city car of this age. The car has attended testing annually without any multi-year lay-up, meaning it has not been subjected to the stagnation-related issues that commonly affect low-mileage or garage-kept vehicles such as seized brake calipers, perished fuel system components, or degraded underbody protection. Equally, the relatively modest annual mileage means that major drivetrain components, clutch friction material, and engine internals will not have endured the wear associated with high-mileage examples. The gap between the 2022 test and the late 2023 retest appears consistent with a standard annual cycle, showing no evidence of off-road periods. For a prospective buyer, the absence of any recorded advisories means there are no specific components flagged for immediate follow-up, but a thorough physical inspection is still essential given the car's age. Particular attention should be paid to the underbody and subframe mounting areas, where corrosion can initiate on Japanese vehicles of this era despite clean MOT records, as testers only report what is visible from beneath without lifting trim or panels. The iQ's compact rear suspension geometry uses a torsion beam arrangement, and on a test drive any knocking, clonking, or irregular thuds when traversing speed bumps or undulating surfaces would warrant closer inspection of the rear beam bushes and shock absorber mountings. Steering response should be checked for any vagueness or pulling to one side under braking, which could indicate worn front suspension components such as anti-roll bar links or bottom ball joints. The braking system should be evaluated subjectively as well as through the pedal feel, watching for any judder through the steering wheel under firm application that might suggest front disc warping, or any binding sensation that could point to a sticking caliper slider given the modest annual mileage. Listen for any exhaust drones or whistling that could indicate perished mounting rubbers or a compromised rear silencer joint, as these components commonly deteriorate with age regardless of mileage. Finally, confirm that all warning lamps extinguish promptly after ignition, that the engine starts cleanly from cold without excessive smoke, and that the CVT or manual gearbox (whichever is fitted) operates smoothly through all gears, as the MOT history, while reassuring, only certifies the vehicle's condition on the day of test rather than its ongoing mechanical prognosis.