2014 Vauxhall Ampera 1.4L Hybrid electric (clean) · YN64 ADO

The most recent DVSA examination dated 3 December 2025 resulted in a PASS, though a single advisory was issued for corroded rear fuel pipes. This advisory carries forward from the previous test, and the prior inspection on 27 November 2025 produced a Dangerous failure with three serious defects: both front tyres recorded tread depths below the legal 1.6mm minimum and an excessively worn nearside front wheel bearing causing directional instability. The earlier 2024 entries likewise flagged a split CV joint boot alongside a minor mirror defect. Taken in sequence, the maintenance trend is clearly worsening rather than stable, with tyre and suspension-related wear appearing at the front axle and a recurring corrosion issue emerging at the rear fuel line. The combination of a Dangerous failure followed immediately by a Pass just six days later suggests the vehicle was repaired quickly to meet the legal standard, but a buyer should treat this as evidence of borderline consumable condition rather than a clean bill of health. The recorded mileage of 113,681 miles on a 2014 Vauxhall Ampera equates to roughly 9,473 miles annually over twelve years, which sits comfortably within typical usage parameters for a vehicle of this age. There are no extended standing periods suggested by the mileage trajectory, and the relatively even spread of tests indicates the car has been driven regularly enough to keep mechanical components moving and fluid systems active. That said, the Ampera is a complex hybrid powertrain combining a petrol engine with high-voltage electrical systems and regenerative braking, so any hybrid-specific components beyond MOT scope such as the traction battery, inverter coolant, and electric drive units warrant specialist inspection regardless of the modest annual mileage. The Dangerous failure on the nearside front wheel bearing and the bald front tyres are the most pressing concerns from the MOT record and warrant thorough physical verification. On a test drive, listen for a rumbling or droning noise that increases with speed and may change with cornering loads, as this is characteristic of a worn wheel bearing; any steering vagueness or wandering under braking should also raise immediate concern. The tyres must be inspected for both legal tread depth and even wear across the contact patch, as uneven wear on an Ampera can point to tracking misalignment, worn suspension bushes, or compromised damping. Given the documented CV joint boot failure on the offside front drive shaft, examine the inner and outer boots for splits, grease loss, or contamination, and listen for clicking or knocking during full-lock manoeuvres. The recurring advisory on rear fuel pipe corrosion, now appearing at consecutive tests, signals progressive surface degradation that will eventually require pipe replacement before it develops into a leak or fails an MOT on a Major basis. Inspect the underside carefully for any staining, weeping joints, or aftermarket repairs around the rear chassis area. Additionally, despite the moderate mileage, this twelve-year-old Ampera should still be checked for age-related deterioration including 12V auxiliary battery health, perishing of suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links, corrosion binding the rear brake calipers especially given the pitted rear brake disc advisory recorded in 2023, and degradation of brake fluid and inverter coolant by calendar age. Confirm full service history stamps and ensure any hybrid system diagnostics have been performed, as the MOT does not interrogate the high-voltage architecture at all.