2020 Vauxhall Corsa SE 1.2L Petrol · HS69 FUB

The most recent DVSA examination on 17 February 2026 resulted in a PASS, but the tester recorded five advisories which collectively suggest the tyres are at or near the end of their useful service life. Both front tyres were noted as worn close to the legal limit with edge wear, the nearside rear tyre was similarly close to its limit, and both rear tyres were found to contain nails, indicating penetrations that will almost certainly have required subsequent repair or replacement to remain roadworthy. Reviewing the broader pattern, the vehicle passed cleanly in 2023 and 2025 (with only a thin front brake pad advisory in 2024), but suffered a Dangerous failure in February 2025 due to a perished offside rear tyre with exposed plies, followed by the cluster of tyre advisories at the most recent test. The trend is therefore one of accelerating tyre-related deterioration rather than any broader mechanical decline, but it does indicate that tyre condition warrants particular scrutiny. With approximately 68,212 miles recorded over six years, the Corsa is averaging roughly 11,369 miles annually, which is consistent with typical mixed private and commuter use and does not point to unusually heavy motorway mileage or extended periods of standing. There are no anomalous gaps or sudden mileage jumps evident across the MOT history, and the 2025 Dangerous failure occurred at an odometer reading consistent with steady accumulation. The annual rate is high enough that normal consumables such as brake pads, discs, tyres, and the 12V battery will have experienced meaningful wear, yet low enough that major drivetrain components should not yet be approaching their typical service thresholds. The recurring tyre advisories across the last two MOTs are the principal area of concern for a prospective purchaser. Edge wear on the front tyres often points to incorrect wheel alignment, suspension geometry issues such as perished or sagging front coil springs, or worn suspension bushes and droplinks, so it would be prudent to inspect the front axle thoroughly for any knocking or clunking over uneven surfaces, uneven inner or outer shoulder wear, and any looseness in the steering or suspension joints. The perished rear tyre failure of February 2025 is also worth considering in the context of age-related rubber degradation; even if the tyres have been replaced since, the wheels themselves and the spare should be checked for similar perishing or cracking, particularly given the vehicle's six-year service exposure. With brake pads noted as wearing thin in 2024 and no subsequent brake-related entry, the pads and discs should be physically inspected for remaining material thickness, lip on the disc circumference, and any signs of binding calipers that might cause uneven pad wear or pulling under braking. Given the mileage and age profile, several time-based service items also merit verification regardless of the MOT outcome. The 12V battery on a six-year-old vehicle commonly approaches the end of its effective service life, so a load test or voltage check under cranking conditions is advisable, particularly if the car has been stood for any prolonged period. Brake fluid is hygroscopic and should have been renewed at least once or twice by this age, while engine coolant and the manual transmission or automatic gearbox fluid (depending on variant) should also be confirmed as within their replacement schedules. A thorough test drive should include firm braking from moderate speed to check for shudder or vibration indicative of warped discs, steady cruising to detect any humming from wheel bearings, and attentive listening for timing chain or auxiliary drive noise on a cold start. Confirming a full main dealer or specialist service history with documented brake fluid, coolant, and spark plug renewals would significantly enhance confidence in this otherwise broadly sound Corsa.