Used car guide

2008 Toyota Aygo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Toyota Aygos, from 10,458 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

10,458MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
4,900typical miles a year
12.7×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link bushes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Toyota Aygos than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes12.7× usual
    Toyota Aygo
    12.7% All 2008 cars
    1%
    Rough price £50–£150

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Rigid brake pipes2× usual
    Toyota Aygo
    19.6% All 2008 cars
    9.6%
    Rough price £100–£400

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Braking performance2.5× usual
    Toyota Aygo
    15.7% All 2008 cars
    6.4%
    Rough price £100–£350

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings3.2× usual
    Toyota Aygo
    13.2% All 2008 cars
    4.1%
    Rough price £80–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Headlamp1.5× usual
    Toyota Aygo
    16.4% All 2008 cars
    10.7%
    Rough price £40–£400

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 6.1% here, against 12.5% of all 2008 cars. Shock absorbers: 3% here, against 8% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Toyota Aygo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    48% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    46% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    41% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    32% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    16% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Rust and bodywork
    13% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Looking at a Toyota Aygo?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
202116,766Tyres 24%
202016,250Tyres 29%
201922,069Tyres 30%
201821,889Tyres 32%
201721,381Tyres 31%
201622,129Tyres 30%
201523,152Tyres 29%
201419,302Tyres 30%
201315,068Brakes 32%
201214,632Brakes 38%
201112,581Brakes 41%
201011,360Brakes 43%
200912,119Brakes 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Toyota Aygos registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score