2010 Vauxhall Agila 1.2L Petrol · S90 TAF

A pattern of recurring suspension wear on the offside front lower arm and chronic rear brake binding has defined this Vauxhall Agila's recent MOT history, with the most recent test on 21 July 2026 passing but flagging four advisories including the now familiar lower arm ball joint play and aft bush wear. This offside front lower arm assembly has been flagged at every annual test since July 2023, initially as an aft bush wear advisory and more recently with the addition of slight ball joint play, suggesting progressive deterioration of the linkage that has not yet reached failure thresholds but is on a clear downward trajectory. The rear brake binding advisories have likewise persisted across 2025 and 2026 on both rear calipers, indicating that the service brake mechanism is not releasing cleanly and is generating localised friction that will accelerate pad and disc wear over time. The 2023 test produced the only recorded failure, a stop lamp non-function on the nearside that was rectified at the same date, and this defect has not reappeared, though the front nearside shock absorber oil misting advisory from that same test is worth monitoring as it can progress to a more serious seal failure. The recorded mileage of 55,843 miles across sixteen years equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 3,490 miles, which is notably low for the vehicle's age and points to either light regular use or extended periods of standing. Such low annual mileage typically reduces wear on major drivetrain components and high-speed bearings but can simultaneously accelerate corrosion in braking surfaces, dry out rubber boots and seals, and promote flat spots in tyres that have sat loaded for long periods. The annual MOT cadence has been consistent since at least 2023 with no significant testing gaps, which provides a relatively continuous picture of mechanical condition rather than large undocumented intervals. However, given the age of the vehicle, the actual mechanical state of components not directly inspected under MOT, such as the clutch, water pump, coolant hoses, and cambelt, cannot be inferred from these records and warrants independent verification. For a prospective buyer, the offside front lower suspension arm is the principal mechanical priority. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocking from the front suspension when traversing speed bumps or uneven surfaces, particularly over the offside wheel, and feel for vagueness or a loose sensation through the steering during slow cornering as the worn bush and ball joint allow additional movement. The rear brake binding should be checked by driving the vehicle to operating temperature then feeling both rear wheels for excessive heat immediately after stopping, and a rolling road or simply a second observer watching the wheels spin freely with the vehicle jacked can confirm whether the calipers are retracting properly. The nearside front shock absorber, noted for light oil misting in 2023, should be inspected for any fresh seepage on the body of the unit and tested for adequate damping by pushing down hard on each front corner with the vehicle stationary and counting the number of oscillations, with more than one and a half bounces suggesting reduced effectiveness. Finally, the discoloured offside rear direction indicator noted on both 2025 and 2026 tests is a minor cosmetic item affecting lens clarity and can simply be replaced with an inexpensive aftermarket unit. Beyond the flagged items, the low annual mileage makes a thorough inspection of all rubber components essential, paying particular attention to the condition of the driveshaft boots, steering rack gaiters, and any underbody brake pipes or fuel lines where surface corrosion could have taken hold during periods of limited use. A road test should also include several full-lock turns in both directions to confirm the power steering is free of binding or noise, and a check of the clutch for any judder or slipping under load given that low-mileage clutches can sometimes suffer from corrosion on the friction surface rather than wear alone.