2019 Vauxhall Grandland 1.2L Petrol · BN68 ACJ

A largely clean MOT history defines this 2019 Vauxhall Grandland, with the only recorded defect being a major failure on 28 May 2026 for an ineffective fuel cap or sealing device, a defect that is typically a minor service item rather than a structural or mechanical concern. The vehicle subsequently passed an MOT on the same date with no defects recorded, suggesting the fuel cap issue was rectified promptly and was not symptomatic of deeper fuelling or evaporative system faults. Across the previous three annual tests in 2023, 2024, and 2025, the Grandland passed without any recorded failures, and only two advisories were ever logged, both in May 2023. This pattern indicates a generally stable roadworthiness record with isolated, minor items rather than a chronic or worsening defect trend. The recorded mileage of 55,874 miles over roughly seven years equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 7,982 miles, which is broadly typical for a privately used family SUV of this age. There are no significant gaps between annual tests and no periods suggesting the vehicle was laid up off the road, which avoids the specific risks associated with prolonged standing such as seized brakes or deteriorated tyres from one of the years mentioned. With annual mileage sitting near the middle of the typical range, wear on the major mechanical consumables — brake discs and pads, tyres, suspension bushes, and the timing chain on the 1.2 turbo petrol engine commonly fitted to this model — should be progressing at a normal rate rather than being either under- or over-stressed. The 2023 advisory for an oil leak noted as not excessive warrants particular attention at the point of purchase. This assessment should begin with a thorough visual inspection underneath the vehicle while the engine is warm, looking for fresh seepage around the rocker cover gasket, the turbo oil feed and return pipes, and the lower engine block where oil can migrate onto the exhaust manifold and produce a distinctive burnt smell. On a test drive, listen for any change in engine note from cold to operating temperature, check the oil level on the dipstick to confirm it is between the minimum and maximum marks, and inspect the undertray for oil staining. A leak recorded as not excessive in 2023 may have developed further over three years of use, so any signs of fresh residue or a rising consumption rate would warrant closer scrutiny. The same 2023 test also flagged the nearside rear tyre as worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge, which suggests either a wheel alignment issue at the rear or a camber problem caused by worn suspension components. During inspection, measure the tread depth across the full width of all four tyres and pay particular attention to inner-edge wear, which is often missed on a casual look. On the test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the rear suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly speed bumps and pothole strikes, as worn trailing arm bushes or coil springs can produce such symptoms. The brake pedal feel should be firm and progressive without any excessive travel or judder under braking, and the steering should remain straight and self-centring on a motorway stretch without pulling to either side, since uneven tyre wear patterns are sometimes accompanied by broader geometry or bush wear that may not yet have triggered an MOT advisory but could develop into a future failure point.