2005 Suzuki Ignis 1.5L Petrol · NC55 SFN

The 2005 Suzuki Ignis presents a mixed maintenance picture, with the most recent MOT history showing a pattern of recurring defects rather than consistent preventative care. The December 2025 test at 107,354 miles initially failed on three separate items, including a corroded rear brake pipe and a non-functional horn, before passing on the same day at 107,351 miles. This suggests the previous owner addressed immediate failures rather than maintaining the car proactively. The trend is neither clearly worsening nor improving, but the nature of the defects points to a vehicle that has been run to failure rather than serviced preventatively. The mileage accumulation tells a story of very light use. Between the November 2024 test at 97,261 miles and the December 2025 test at 107,354 miles, the car covered just over 10,000 miles in roughly thirteen months. Before that, the annual average between December 2023 at 87,012 miles and November 2024 at 97,261 miles was approximately 10,249 miles. This is well below the UK average and consistent with short, local journeys. Low mileage can mask deterioration, as infrequent use accelerates brake corrosion, seal drying, and fluid degradation. The December 2025 advisory for a corroded rear brake pipe covered in grease or other material is a significant concern. Brake pipe corrosion is a structural integrity issue, not a minor consumable wear item, and the fact it was flagged suggests the underside has been exposed to moisture and road salt without adequate underbody protection. A buyer should have the entire brake line system inspected on a ramp, paying close attention to the rear axle area and any unions where corrosion typically takes hold. The November 2024 failure is equally telling. Excessively worn lower suspension arm ball joints and play in both nearside and offside steering rack inner joints indicate the front-end components have seen considerable stress or age-related degradation. These are not consumable items like wiper blades; they are critical steering and suspension components. Any play in the steering rack inner joints directly affects vehicle control and should have been addressed before the car returned to the road. A prospective buyer should have the front suspension and steering comprehensively checked, including rack gaiters, track rod ends, and wishbone bushes, to determine whether these items were simply replaced or if underlying wear patterns suggest ongoing neglect.