2018 Vauxhall Corsa 1.4L Petrol · DP18 OKT

The vehicle failed its most recent MOT test on 12 June 2026 at 28,889 miles with seven advisory and failure items, indicating a significant deterioration in roadworthiness since the previous annual test. The trend is clearly worsening. A serious fluid leak from the offside front shock absorber represents a critical failure, escalating from a 'light misting of oil' advisory noted in both the 2025 and 2024 tests. Furthermore, the offside front track rod end dust cover is now excessively damaged, and the front brake pads are wearing thin alongside a worn disc, suggesting neglected brake maintenance. The offside front Macpherson strut bush remains flagged as worn across three consecutive tests (2024, 2025, 2026), pointing to a persistent suspension issue that has not been rectified. The appearance of a tyre with a deep cut and another with perishing damage in the latest test adds to the cumulative picture of deferred maintenance. The recorded mileage of 28,889 miles for an eight-year-old vehicle is exceptionally low, averaging approximately 3,611 miles per year. The MOT history shows consistent, incremental annual increases of roughly 2,700 miles between tests, confirming regular but very light use. This low annual mileage, combined with the specific nature of the failures—particularly the perishing tyre sidewall and the fractured nearside front coil spring recorded in the 2024 test—suggests the car may have experienced extended periods of standing still. Such inactivity accelerates the degradation of rubber components like tyres, suspension bushes, and shock absorber seals, which aligns with the recurring faults observed. A buyer must conduct a meticulous in-person inspection focused on the recurring problem areas. The front suspension requires immediate attention: physically examine the offside front Macpherson strut bush for excessive play and the shock absorber for any active fluid leakage. The brake system must be checked for pad thickness and disc condition, as the MOT indicates wear is now beyond the advisory stage. The tyres need a close inspection for sidewall damage, cuts, and perishing, especially the offside units. The history of a fractured front coil spring in 2024 is a major structural concern; the buyer must verify if it was replaced with a new, correct component and inspect the opposite spring for similar stress. The consistent edge wear on front tyres across multiple years also warrants investigation into potential wheel alignment issues.