Toyota Aygo Mk1: best and worst years, and what goes wrong
How every year of the Toyota Aygo Mk1 did at its MOT in 2025 compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 111,817 MOT tests.
Year by year
First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Toyota Aygo Mk1, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | Stands out | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 49% | 58% -9 | Anti-roll bar link bushes 7.8× usual | 1,221 |
| 2006 | 51% | 57% -6 | Anti-roll bar link bushes 11.6× usual | 6,690 |
| 2007 | 53% | 57% -4 | Anti-roll bar link bushes 13.1× usual | 8,386 |
| 2008 | 53% | 57% -4 | Anti-roll bar link bushes 12.7× usual | 10,458 |
| 2009 | 59% | 58% +1 | Rigid brake pipes 2.6× usual | 12,119 |
| 2010 | 59% | 59% +0 | Rigid brake pipes 2.8× usual | 11,360 |
| 2011 | 61% | 61% +0 | Rigid brake pipes 3× usual | 12,581 |
| 2012 | 64% | 63% +1 | Anti-roll bar link bushes 21.7× usual | 14,632 |
| 2013 | 68% | 66% +2 | Anti-roll bar link bushes 23.6× usual | 15,068 |
| 2014* | 74% | 69% +5 | Anti-roll bar link bushes 24.4× usual | 19,302 |
Weak spots across the Toyota Aygo Mk1
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.
- Anti-roll bar link bushesup to 23.6× usual
Stands out in 9 years: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005.
Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) CheckatradeAt 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.
- Braking performanceup to 2.5× usual
Stands out in 9 years: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005.
Rough price £100–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
- Rust around suspension or steering mountingsup to 5.8× usual
Stands out in 8 years: 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005.
Rough price £100–£450 our estimateAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
- Rigid brake pipesup to 3.2× usual
Stands out in 7 years: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt 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.
- Wheel bearingsup to 2.9× usual
Stands out in 4 years: 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006.
Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.
- Headlightsup to 1.8× usual
Stands out in 4 years: 2011, 2010, 2006, 2005.
Rough price £40–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.
Known faults
From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.
- Squeaking or failing clutch
A squeak from underneath as you let the clutch out, with a stiff gear change, points to a worn clutch.
Check: Listen as you pull away, and try every gear.
If it needs doing: Clutch replacement, about £250–£600. ClickMechanic
- Gear cable that can snap
One of the gear cables can fail suddenly, leaving no gears at all.
Check: Make sure every gear goes in cleanly, including reverse.
- Heavy steering
Heavy steering can mean a failing power steering control unit, which is replaced as a whole.
Check: Turn the wheel at a standstill and at low speed: it should feel light.
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score
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