2012 Chevrolet Cruze 2.0L Diesel · LM62 EKZ

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze presents a mixed maintenance picture, with a clear worsening trend in braking components and a significant suspension failure narrowly resolved before its most recent test. The January 2026 pass at 106,558 miles is technically valid, but it follows a failure just eight days earlier on 21 January 2026 at 106,427 miles. That failure flagged a fractured offside rear coil spring, a serious structural defect that compromises suspension geometry and ride height. The subsequent pass confirms the spring was replaced, yet the same test also recorded front and rear brake pads wearing thin and a worn front inner disc. These advisories carried over from the failed test, indicating the braking system was already marginal when the spring broke. A car failing on a critical suspension component and passing a week later with worn brakes suggests reactive repairs rather than proactive upkeep. The mileage accumulation of roughly 7,611 miles per year over fourteen years is unremarkable for a family hatchback, but the MOT record reveals a notable gap. Between December 2022 at 78,952 miles and January 2024 at 84,717 miles, the car covered only 5,765 miles in over twelve months. The annualised rate then jumps to approximately 9,500 miles per year from 2024 onward, reaching 106,558 miles by early 2026. This pattern points to a period of light use or possible standing, followed by a return to regular driving. The sparse testing history, with only five recorded MOT events across the car's life, limits confidence in long-term care, though the clean passes in 2022 and 2025 suggest no persistent neglect outside the recent brake and spring issues. A buyer should focus on the rear suspension and braking system during any in-person inspection. The fractured coil spring, while replaced, raises questions about whether the matching nearside spring was also renewed or if corrosion has weakened the mounting points. Check for uneven ride height, clunking over bumps, and any fresh underseal masking rust on the spring seats and subframe. The recurring brake advisories demand a close look at disc thickness, pad material, and caliper operation. Worn front inner discs often point to a binding caliper slide pin or seized handbrake mechanism on the rear, so test the handbrake hold on a slope and feel for dragging after a short drive. Inspect the fuel tank straps flagged in 2024 for advanced corrosion, as a failed strap risks tank detachment. Finally, verify the offside front tyre wear pattern noted in 2024 has been addressed through alignment, as uneven inner edge wear indicates ongoing tracking or suspension geometry issues that could have worsened after the spring replacement.