2007 Suzuki Ignis 1.3L Petrol · AE07 ABE

Chronic brake and underbody corrosion forms the defining mechanical risk on this 2007 Suzuki Ignis. The 2023 test, recorded on 10 February, was passed, but only after a Minor defect was raised for a brake pedal that was not releasing correctly, accompanied by three advisories covering corrosion on the nearside front, nearside rear and offside rear brake pipes, plus a further advisory for corrosion on the nearside front Macpherson strut. This is not an isolated finding; the 2021 test produced two Major defects for brake pipes that were excessively corroded on the front-to-rear run from the ABS unit, resulting in a fail. The earlier 2022 fail additionally highlighted a dangerous tread-depth issue on the offside front tyre and a Major imbalance across the front brakes. Taken together, the DVSA record points to an underbody that has been steadily oxidising, with the brake hydraulic system and front strut already showing visible deterioration and the pedal mechanism itself now raising a Minor at the most recent test. Recorded mileage stands at 72,290 miles across approximately nineteen years of registration, equating to an annual accumulation of roughly 3,800 miles, which is low for the vehicle's age. The MOT history shows testing in 2017, 2018, 2019, then a gap until the January 2021 attempt, with annual tests thereafter. This pattern is consistent with limited use or extended periods off the road, and mechanically that tends to accelerate surface corrosion on ferrous components such as brake pipes, subframe areas and suspension links, while allowing rubber items like ball joint boots, suspension bushes and wiper blades to deteriorate through standing rather than wear. The lower suspension arm ball joint rubber boots that were flagged as deteriorating in both the 2022 fail and the subsequent 2022 pass are typical of this kind of low-mileage, age-led deterioration rather than high-mileage mechanical wear. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection areas are the brake hydraulic system and the front suspension. The brake pipes, particularly the front-to-rear lines running beneath the floorpan from the ABS unit, should be physically examined for live rust, pitting and any flaking that has advanced beyond surface corrosion, paying close attention to unions and flexy hose ends where corrosion concentrates. The pedal feel should be checked on a test drive for any residual drag or slow return, and the front brake imbalance that was a Major in 2022 warrants a firm pedal application from speed to confirm the vehicle stops squarely, without pulling to either side and without judder through the pedal. The nearside front Macpherson strut should be inspected for visible corrosion at the lower coil seat and strut body, and a careful listen over uneven surfaces for knocks or clonks from the front suspension will help reveal whether the strut top mounts or coil springs have been compromised by the corrosion already noted. The front suspension lower arms and ball joints should also be examined closely, as the deteriorating ball joint rubber boots flagged in 2022 allow water and grit to enter the joint, which will then wear rapidly once contaminated. With the wheels off the ground, any play detected by hand in the front wheels when rocked vertically or horizontally points to worn ball joints or perished bushes that will require replacement. Given that the 2021 and 2022 tests both recorded dangerous front tyre tread-depth failures, the tyres on the car should be checked for current tread depth, age-related cracking in the sidewalls and even wear patterns, as an unbalanced front brake combined with worn dampers can produce uneven shoulder wear. Finally, confirm the wiper mechanism clears the screen effectively across the full swept area, as both sides failed to clear properly in 2021, and inspect all visible underbody brake and fuel lines for fresh corrosion or any previous underseal that may be masking active rust.