2012 Chevrolet Spark 1.0L Petrol · KV62 LSU

The 2012 Chevrolet Spark presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT, conducted on 22 December 2023 at 104,173 miles, passed, but only after a failure the previous day flagged a corroded offside rear brake pipe. That defect is a genuine structural concern, not a minor wear item. The fact that it was listed as corroded and covered in grease or other material suggests the pipe condition had been masked or neglected rather than properly resolved. The maintenance trend is borderline stable at best, with a pattern of recurring advisories and failures that indicate reactive rather than preventative upkeep. The mileage progression tells a consistent story. Between the December 2021 test at 87,055 miles and the December 2022 test at 97,310 miles, the car covered roughly 10,255 miles in twelve months. From December 2022 to December 2023, it added just 6,863 miles, suggesting reduced use in its most recent year. At 104,173 miles over approximately fourteen years, the annual average sits around 7,441 miles, which is typical for a city car of this age. There is no evidence of mileage gaps or suspicious accumulation. The record is clean in terms of documented use, but the MOT entries themselves reveal a car that has not been meticulously maintained. A buyer should pay close attention to the braking system. The December 2022 failure recorded fluctuating service brakes on both front wheels, and the December 2023 failure identified a corroded offside rear brake pipe. Brake fluctuation can point to warped discs, uneven pad wear, or sticking calipers, while a corroded pipe is a direct safety risk that can lead to fluid loss and pedal failure. Inspect the entire brake line run for corrosion, particularly along the rear underside where road salt and moisture accumulate. Check disc condition and pad thickness on all four corners. The tyre history also warrants attention. In December 2022, three tyres were worn close to the legal limit and one had a cut not deep enough to expose the ply. Failing on tyre tread across multiple wheels in a single test suggests basic tyre maintenance was skipped between inspections. Examine the current tyres for uneven wear patterns, which could indicate alignment issues or worn suspension bushes. The slight exhaust leak noted at the flexible joint in December 2021 was never flagged again, but a physical check of the front exhaust section for cracking or blow-by is still advisable given the car's age.