2010 Chevrolet Spark 1.2L Petrol · LL10 LPV

The 2010 Chevrolet Spark presents a stable mechanical picture at its most recent MOT on 6 January 2026, when it passed at 30,606 miles with only minor advisories. An oil leak was flagged, though deemed not excessive, along with an offside rear service brake noted as binding but not excessively. These are low-severity observations, not failures. Looking back, the maintenance trend is broadly improving. The January 2024 test at 28,386 miles recorded worn front strut pins or bushes on both sides and binding rear brakes on both sides, yet by December 2024 at 29,488 miles the car passed with zero defects. That clean sheet suggests the worn suspension components and binding brakes were addressed during 2024. The recurrence of binding rear brakes reappearing in January 2026 hints at a minor lingering issue, but the overall trajectory from 2022 to 2026 shows a vehicle that has been kept in reasonable order rather than neglected. At roughly 1,913 miles per year over sixteen years, this Spark has covered exceptionally low mileage for its age. Between the January 2022 test at 25,392 miles and the January 2026 test at 30,606 miles, only 5,214 miles were added across four years, averaging around 1,300 miles annually in that window. The mileage progression is consistent with no sudden jumps or suspicious gaps. Such light use typically reduces wear on drivetrain and braking components, though prolonged periods of standing can introduce its own concerns, including deteriorated rubber seals, brake surface corrosion, and flat-spotted tyres. The recorded mileage pattern itself raises no red flags. A prospective buyer should focus the physical inspection on two areas the MOT record repeatedly highlights. First, the front suspension. Worn Macpherson strut pins or bushes appeared in both the January 2022 and January 2024 tests, indicating these components wear quickly on this example. Have a garage check the front strut top mounts, bushes, and ball joints for play, and confirm whether the 2024 repairs used quality parts or quick fixes. Second, the braking system. Binding service brakes have been flagged on multiple occasions across both axles, appearing in January 2022, January 2024, and again on the offside rear in January 2026. This pattern points to caliper slide pins or pistons that are prone to sticking, or possibly a handbrake mechanism on the rear that is not fully releasing. Inspect the brake calipers, hoses, and handbrake cables for free movement. The minor oil leak noted in January 2026 warrants a look at the driveshaft oil seal and engine rocker cover gasket, though it was not flagged as serious. Given the low mileage, also check tyre date codes and sidewalls for age-related cracking, and examine the underside for corrosion that can develop on vehicles standing for long periods between short trips.