2010 Toyota Yaris 1.3L Petrol · YT10 ABX

This 2010 Toyota Yaris presents a roadworthiness profile dominated by progressive underbody corrosion and front suspension deterioration, the latter of which recently escalated into a Major failure. On the 2026-05-26 test, the vehicle initially failed on excessively worn front suspension arm pins or bushes on both sides, a defect serious enough to prevent the car from passing until rectified. The subsequent pass on the same date shows the components were replaced, but the underlying wear pattern remains a concern given the vehicle's age and mileage. Across multiple annual tests, advisories have repeatedly flagged corrosion of the front sub-frame, rear axle, underbody, fuel pipes, and rear suspension component mountings, with the 2025 test additionally noting structural corrosion and worn front brake discs and pads. The trajectory is clearly worsening rather than stable, with each successive year introducing new corrosion locations while older advisories persist. With 130,248 miles recorded against a 16-year service life, the Yaris has accumulated approximately 8,140 miles annually, a rate broadly consistent with average commuting and errand use. There are no multi-year gaps in the MOT history that would suggest prolonged standing, which is positive from a perspective of avoiding prolonged inactivity-related issues such as seized brakes or moisture ingress in the braking system. However, the mileage combined with age places significant mechanical demand on suspension bushes, anti-roll bar links, engine mountings, and wheel bearings, all of which are increasingly susceptible to wear at this odometer reading. The annual accumulation has been steady enough to keep major drivetrain components in regular working order, but the underbody and chassis components have nonetheless suffered sustained environmental exposure that the MOT advisories now make visible. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the front suspension, as the recent Major failure on both arm pins or bushes indicates that wear is bilateral rather than isolated. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front wheels over speed humps, uneven tarmac, and pothole impacts, and feel for imprecise steering or a wandering sensation at speed which can indicate worn bushes allowing excessive movement. With the advisories on worn front brake discs and pads from 2025, check for brake pedal vibration or juddering under firm application, and inspect the front discs for a pronounced lip on the outer edge. The rear swivel pins and bushes flagged in 2024 should also be evaluated by rocking each rear wheel laterally at the bottom to detect free play, and by listening for rear suspension noise over rough surfaces. The corrosion pattern is the most pressing structural concern and warrants a physical inspection on a ramp or over a pit before purchase. The front sub-frame corrosion, while not currently classed as seriously weakened, requires close examination for any flaking that exposes bare metal or thinning sections around mounting points, as this can rapidly progress between MOT tests. Fuel pipe corrosion, noted in both 2025 and 2026, demands particular caution as it presents both a leak risk and a fire hazard, and a qualified mechanic should pressure-test the fuel lines. The rear exhaust minor leak should be listened for as a ticking or hissing sound from the rear silencer area when the engine is warm, and the integral body and underbody corrosion points should be probed with a screwdriver to verify whether the metal remains solid or has perforated. Given the consistent year-on-year worsening of corrosion advisories, budgeting for chassis restoration work within the next twelve to twenty-four months would be a prudent consideration.