2010 Volkswagen FOX 1.2L Petrol · FG60 YBW

The 2010 Volkswagen Fox presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT, conducted on 15 October 2025 at 53,968 miles, resulted in a pass, but only after an initial failure on the same day. The tester flagged a rear stop lamp remaining on when the brakes were released, alongside persistent advisories for perishing rear tyres and a deteriorated offside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover. The fact that the car failed and passed on the identical date and mileage suggests the stop lamp defect was rectified at a retest, yet the advisories were carried forward. This pattern indicates a reactive rather than proactive maintenance approach, with minor defects tolerated rather than pre-emptively resolved. The mileage profile is notably low. At 53,968 miles over approximately 16 years, the annual average sits at roughly 3,373 miles. The record shows a jump from 38,516 miles in November 2023 to 45,540 miles by November 2024, representing around 7,000 miles in a single year, before climbing just 428 miles to the October 2025 test. This suggests a period of increased use followed by very light running. Low annual mileage can mask deterioration, as components such as rubber bushes, tyres, and seals degrade with age and standing time rather than use alone. The recurring advisory for the offside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover, present in every test from November 2024 onward, warrants close attention. A severely deteriorated cover allows dirt and moisture ingress, accelerating ball joint wear and potentially leading to suspension failure. The November 2024 failure also identified both anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust covers as no longer sealing effectively, plus a serious fluid leak from the offside rear shock absorber. Although these did not reappear in the 2025 record, a serious shock absorber leak rarely self-resolves. A prospective buyer should have the rear suspension physically inspected for residual leakage and damping performance. Tyre condition is another consistent concern. Perishing rear tyres appeared in both 2024 and 2025, and the stop lamp fault in October 2025 points to a potential brake circuit issue, possibly a sticking caliper or faulty switch. The minor front exhaust leak noted in 2024 also merits checking, as small leaks can progress to dangerous exhaust gas ingress into the cabin. Given the age of the vehicle, a thorough underbody inspection for corrosion, particularly around suspension mounting points and the exhaust system, is strongly advised before purchase.