Running gear

Toyota kept things nice and simple here. Suspension was by Macpherson struts at the front and with a torsion beam aft, and aside from general wear-and-tear and tired bushes it’s an arrangement that is trouble-free.

The same goes for the disc/ drum brakes, which were more than adequate for the performance on offer and which were backed by standard ABS and electronic brake force distribution (EBD). The only issue of note seems to be reports of leaking rear brake cylinders, so have a look around the back of the drums for any evidence of brake fluid escaping.

The electrically-assisted steering was equally straightforward, with Toyota claiming a 3% improvement in efficiency compared to a hydraulic set-up. Aside from slightly over-eager self-centring, it’s pleasant enough to use and shouldn’t give any problems.

The only other things worth checking are battered plastic wheel trims, scraped alloy wheels and signs of uneven tyre wear, all of which indicate that the inevitable battles with urban kerbs have been lost. At least the diddy tyre sizes mean replacements are cheap, so there’s little excuse for mismatched or worn rubber, which are the usual signs of cars being run on a shoestring.