2012 Chevrolet Spark 1.2L Petrol · LL12 TSU

A clean and consistent DVSA roadworthiness record defines this 2012 Chevrolet Spark, with five consecutive pass certificates stretching back to mid-2023 and not a single advisory, minor defect, or failure cause recorded across the entire timeline. The most recent test on 29 December 2025 returned a pass with no defects, reinforcing what is by any measure an unusually tidy MOT history for a small city car now in its fourteenth year. The single failure entry from the same July 2023 date as a successful retest indicates a present-and-correct scenario rather than any chronic mechanical fault, since the vehicle evidently passed later the same day without documented remedial work being flagged. This absence of recurring advisories on suspension, braking, exhaust, or corrosion components is the strongest mechanical signal in the file and suggests the structure and running gear have remained within serviceable limits throughout the testing period. Mileage progression sits broadly in line with national averages for a 14-year-old vehicle, with the recorded 92,574 miles translating to an annual accumulation of roughly 6,600 miles per year. There are no conspicuous gaps in the MOT testing history, no prolonged off-road periods, and no mileage inconsistencies that would suggest clock tampering or extended standing time. Consistent year-on-year testing combined with steady annual use tends to keep mechanical components, particularly brake discs, callipers, tyres, and suspension bushes, in a known working state rather than allowing corrosion to take hold through inactivity. The usage profile here is therefore favourable: the car has clearly been exercised regularly enough to avoid the moisture and oxidation issues that affect laid-up vehicles of similar age. For a prospective buyer, the absence of any flagged components means there are no specific defect histories to chase down, but that does not remove the need for a targeted physical inspection given the vehicle's age and mileage. On a test drive, listen carefully for clonks or knocking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, as worn lower wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and top mounts commonly deteriorate on small Chevrolets of this era without necessarily registering at MOT level until wear becomes pronounced. Brake pedal feel should be firm and progressive without excessive travel, and there should be no vibration through the steering wheel under light or moderate braking, which would indicate disc run-out or pad glazing on the 92,000-mile front axles. A thorough pre-purchase examination should also include a close visual check of the underside, particularly the rear axle beam, fuel and brake pipework along the chassis rails, and the subframe mounting points, as these are areas where early corrosion can develop on Korean-built city cars once they pass the 10-year threshold even when MOT testers have not yet flagged advisories. Inspect the exhaust system for blue smoke on startup, which would point to valve stem seal wear, and check for oil misting around the cam cover and sump gasket, both common leak points on higher-mileage 1.0 and 1.2 litre units of this generation. Confirm that the cooling system is holding pressure and that the gearbox selects cleanly across all ratios, as synchro wear on the manual transmission becomes more probable as mileage climbs beyond the 90,000-mile mark. Overall, the DVSA record offers reassurance, but a hands-on mechanical inspection remains the prudent next step before committing to purchase.