2012 Vauxhall Astravan 1.7L Diesel · KU12 LPC

The most recent MOT (13 January 2026) was a pass, but the report still flags a corroded off‑side rear brake pipe that is covered in grease or other material. That same defect was noted on the failed test just ten days earlier, so the brake‑line corrosion is a recurring issue that has not yet been remedied. Across the last three years the vehicle has shown a pattern of wear on several key components: suspension springs and arms (fractured off‑side front coil spring, near‑side rear coil spring, near‑side front lower arm ball‑joint wear), wheel and tyre problems (off‑side front wheel badly distorted, tread below 1.6 mm, nail in tyre), and a series of exhaust and oil‑leak concerns (minor rear‑exhaust leak, severe CV boot deterioration, substantial oil leak noted in 2023 and again in early 2026). Electrical faults such as headlamp failure, registration‑plate lamp inoperative, and a missing side mirror also appear repeatedly. The trend is not improving – each MOT cycle brings new failures rather than a reduction in defects. While the 2026 pass shows the car can meet the legal minimum, the underlying mechanical wear has been accumulating, and the same brake‑pipe corrosion has persisted for at least two years. Mileage of 186,800 mi on a 2012 model works out to roughly 13,300 mi per year, which is well above the average for a vehicle of this age. This high annual mileage suggests the drivetrain, suspension and brake components have been heavily used, accelerating wear on springs, bushings and tyre tread. It also means there may have been periods of intensive driving rather than long storage, so the wear is likely genuine rather than merely cosmetic. For a prospective buyer the priority checks should be: Inspect the off‑side rear brake pipe for rust, corrosion and any signs of leaking or compromised fittings; consider replacement if any doubt remains.