2012 Chevrolet Spark 1.0L Petrol · LL61 RTU

The most recent DVSA examination on 19 March 2026 returned a Pass, although it was preceded just one day earlier by a Fail that flagged two Major items, namely an offside front suspension arm ball joint with a perished dust cover allowing ingress of dirt, and an offside front Macpherson strut top bush or bearing exhibiting excessive wear or free play. These suspension failures, combined with a Dangerous defect for inoperative stop lamps and imbalanced rear brakes recorded at the February 2025 test, indicate a discernible deterioration in the vehicle's mechanical condition over the last eighteen months rather than a stable maintenance trend. It is also relevant that the 2026 Pass was accompanied by five advisories, four of which related to the braking system and tyre condition, suggesting that further rectification work was deferred at the time of test. A prospective buyer should treat this pattern as a clear signal that the undercarriage and braking components require immediate professional inspection before purchase. With 90,587 recorded miles spread across fourteen years, the vehicle is averaging approximately 6,470 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a city-oriented Chevrolet Spark of this vintage. There are no extended gaps in the MOT history that would suggest prolonged standing, although the relatively modest annual mileage does mean that some degradation may be calendar-driven rather than purely wear-driven. Brake discs, rear brake mechanisms, and suspension components have been recurring advisory subjects across multiple tests, which is consistent with the gradual accumulation of corrosion and seal fatigue that affects low-to-moderate mileage urban cars as they age. The drivetrain itself appears unremarked upon in the MOT record, but the surrounding consumables clearly demand scrutiny. The 2026 advisories regarding the nearside rear service brake binding and braking system requiring adjustment or repair are particularly significant. A binding rear caliper or drum mechanism will typically manifest on a test drive as uneven braking force, a pulling sensation toward one side under heavy pedal application, or the rear wheel remaining excessively hot after driving. The fact that similar binding advisories appeared on the offside front in 2023 suggests caliper slide pins or drum mechanisms may be progressively seizing. On inspection, the buyer should verify that both rear wheels rotate freely by hand when jacked and check for uneven brake disc wear or lipping. Any imbalance or juddering under braking should be treated as a prompt for disc and pad replacement. The suspension items from the 2026 Fail are the most pressing concern. The offside front Macpherson strut top bearing wear and perished ball joint dust cover warrant a careful road test for symptoms including knocking or clonking over uneven surfaces, vague steering response, uneven front tyre wear particularly on the inner or outer shoulders, and visible fluid leakage from the strut body. Given the repeated rear shock absorber oil misting advisories recorded in 2022, 2023, and 2024, the rear damping units are progressively failing and replacement should be anticipated. The tyre advisories, particularly the perishing and cracking on the offside front and the nearside front approaching the wear indicators, also point to age-related rubber degradation; the buyer should inspect all four sidewalls for hairline cracking regardless of tread depth, as fourteen-year-old tyres can lose structural integrity even with adequate tread remaining. Additionally, given the calendar age, a thorough check of the twelve-volt battery, coolant condition, brake fluid age, and any evidence of underfloor or suspension mounting corrosion is strongly advisable before committing to purchase.