2012 Chevrolet Spark 1.2L Petrol · NG12 FJO

The 2012 Chevrolet Spark presents a stable and recently improving maintenance picture. The most recent test on 18 December 2025 at 47,606 miles passed completely clean with zero defects recorded, which is a strong indicator that the vehicle is currently in sound mechanical order. This clean bill of health follows a period of active repair in early 2025, suggesting the previous owner addressed outstanding faults promptly rather than neglecting them. The mileage profile tells a clear story of very light use. At roughly 3,400 miles per year over fourteen years, this Spark has led a gentle life. The record shows a notable jump of approximately 6,300 miles between the March 2025 tests at 46,219 miles and the December 2025 test at 47,606 miles, indicating a sudden increase in usage after a period of minimal activity. Prior to that, the car covered only about 6,250 miles across the full twelve months between March 2024 and March 2025. The MOT history itself is well-documented with no significant gaps, giving confidence that the mileage figures are genuine and the vehicle has not been sitting unused for extended periods without testing. Despite the clean recent result, the 2024 and early 2025 failures reveal a pattern of deferred maintenance that warrants physical inspection. The March 2024 failure flagged both front tyres worn to the legal limit, and the March 2025 failure repeated the same tyre wear issue alongside a fractured offside front coil spring, an insecure front exhaust system with a major leak at the flexi pipe, an excessively binding offside rear brake, and a corroded rear brake pipe. These are not minor cosmetic niggles. A fractured coil spring compromises ride height and can damage tyres or strut components. A binding rear brake generates excessive heat, accelerates disc and pad wear, and increases fuel consumption. Corroded brake lines represent a genuine structural and hydraulic risk that demands underbody inspection. The suspension also drew repeated advisories, with the tester flagging worn Macpherson strut pin or bush components on both the nearside and offside fronts across the March 2025 failure and re-test. While these advisories did not constitute a fail, recurring suspension bush wear on a low-mileage city car often points to deteriorated rubber from age rather than use, and replacement may be needed soon. A buyer should prioritise a thorough underbody inspection focusing on the rear brake lines for corrosion, the front suspension strut top mounts and bushes for play, and the condition of the front exhaust flexi pipe. The tyre wear pattern from 2024, with both fronts worn on the edge, suggests possible tracking or alignment issues that may have recurred. The December 2025 clean result is encouraging, but the cluster of serious defects just nine months earlier means this car should not be taken at face value without an independent mechanical inspection.