2016 Vauxhall Corsa 1.4L Petrol · FN16 AWF

Chronic exhaust leakage is the defining mechanical thread running through this Corssa's MOT record, with advisories for minor blow-by present at every annual test from 2023 onwards and culminating in a major failure for a corroded rear sleeve and deteriorated front flexi on 7 March 2025. The most recent examination on 3 March 2026 recorded a pass, but the front flexible joint was again flagged with a minor gas leak, indicating the replacement carried out after the 2025 failure has either not yet been fitted or has begun to deteriorate again. Compounding the exhaust picture, the 2025 test produced an unusually heavy cluster of major defects, including a fractured nearside front coil spring, a seriously leaking offside front shock absorber, and an incorrectly aimed offside front headlamp, all of which were rectified for the subsequent pass. Earlier years add further weight to a pattern of component wear, with the 2023 test failing on a fluctuating nearside front service brake, a perished track rod end dust cover on the offside front, and pitted front brake discs, while the 2024 test failed on both headlamp aim items. Taken together, the record shows a vehicle that has repeatedly required suspension, braking, steering, and exhaust attention over a relatively short period. The recorded mileage of 67,466 against a 2016 first registration date equates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 6,700 miles, which sits close to the expected norm for a car of this age and type. There are no extended gaps in the testing history, with annual examinations consistently recorded from 2022 through 2026, suggesting the vehicle has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for prolonged periods. This consistent usage pattern, combined with the modest annual mileage, would ordinarily imply a relatively gentle mechanical demand on consumables, yet the density of advisories and failures in the record suggests that age-related deterioration of under-bonnet, under-body, and chassis components is the more significant factor at play, rather than high-mileage wear. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the suspension and steering assemblies, as these have been the source of multiple advisories and majors. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over uneven surfaces, which could indicate worn suspension bushes, top mounts, or anti-roll bar links following the documented coil spring and shock absorber failures. Inspect the offside front shock absorber closely for fresh oil residue around the shaft and body, and check that the vehicle sits level at the front with no sagging on either corner. Steering should be tested for any looseness, vibration, or knocking through the wheel when turning on full lock, which would suggest the track rod end replacement flagged in 2023 has not resolved the underlying wear or that adjacent joints are now deteriorating. The braking system also warrants a thorough physical inspection given the pitted discs and fluctuating brake recorded in 2023, and the subsequent advisory in 2026 confirming that the offside front disc remains pitted and scored. On a road test, the pedal should feel firm and progressive without any judder under heavy braking, and the vehicle should pull up in a straight line without steering pull. The exhaust should be examined on a warm engine for any hissing or ticking from the front flexible joint area, and the rear sleeve and box should be checked for rust perforation by tapping gently along the pipework. Finally, the front headlamp alignment should be verified against a flat surface, as the headlamp aim has been flagged as incorrectly projected on two separate occasions, suggesting either recurring adjustment issues or damaged mounting brackets that may now be loose.