2011 Chevrolet Spark 1.0L Petrol · LL11 CBV

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 13 February 2026, with a single advisory recorded concerning a nearside rear brake pipe described as corroded and covered in grease or other material. This advisory has been carried forward from the 2024 test, indicating the underlying corrosion has not been addressed over a two-year period and warrants careful inspection at the point of purchase. Looking at the broader trend, the 2024 test stands out as a clear turning point, listing four advisories covering brake disc condition, brake pad wear, anti-roll bar linkage play, and overall brake imbalance, alongside the same corroded brake pipe. The intervening period also produced a failure in February 2025 for mismatched tyre sizes on the front axle, which was subsequently rectified to secure a pass. Overall, the trajectory suggests a vehicle whose braking and undercarriage components are showing progressive age-related wear, with the maintenance trend arguably stabilising in the short term but built upon a foundation of unresolved advisories. The recorded mileage of 80,365 miles across approximately fifteen years equates to an annual average of around 5,358 miles, which is notably low for a city-focused supermini of this type. Such modest usage is consistent with second-car duties, urban errands, or extended periods of standing between uses. While low mileage reduces wear on internal combustion components and clutch assemblies, it introduces its own concerns regarding brake calipers seizing through inactivity, tyre sidewall perishing from age rather than mileage, exhaust corrosion from short journeys, and degradation of fluids that have remained in service well beyond their recommended calendar replacement intervals. For a prospective buyer, the most pressing mechanical concern is the nearside rear brake pipe advisory that has persisted since 2024. Brake pipe corrosion is a safety-critical issue that can progress to perforation and fluid loss, so a physical inspection underneath the vehicle is essential, paying particular attention to the unions and bends along the fuel and brake line runs. On a test drive, any spongy brake pedal feel, excessive pedal travel, or a brake warning light illuminating would suggest the corrosion has advanced. The earlier advisories regarding pitted front brake discs, thinning front brake pads, and slight play in the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint should also be physically verified, as these items naturally deteriorate further over time. On the road, listen for suspension clonks over speed humps and uneven bumps, which would indicate worn bushes or deteriorating anti-roll bar components, and feel for any vibration through the steering wheel under braking, which would confirm the earlier disc wear observation. Beyond the recorded items, the age and usage profile of this Chevrolet Spark demands several additional checks that the MOT history alone cannot reveal. Tyres fitted at the 2025 test should be examined for age-related sidewall cracking regardless of tread depth, particularly given the mismatched size failure previously recorded. The 12V battery should be load-tested, as a battery of this vintage that has seen intermittent use is likely to be marginal. Brake calipers should be checked for free movement and the handbrake mechanism confirmed as releasing fully, given the likelihood of standing-induced seizure. Coolant and brake fluid are time-serviced items that should have been renewed irrespective of mileage, so inspect the service book for dated entries or consider budgeting for an immediate fluid renewal. Finally, examine the exhaust system for rust perforation, particularly at mounting points and the rear silencer, and check beneath the vehicle for any oil leaks from the cam cover gasket or sump, which are known weak points on small-capacity engines of this era.