2010 Vauxhall Agila 1.2L Petrol · NJ60 VEO

The Vauxhall Agila presents a stable roadworthiness record over the past four MOT cycles, with the most recent test in September 2025 at 63,706 miles showing no defects at all. This clean outcome follows two consecutive passes in 2024 and 2023 without any advisories or failures, indicating the vehicle has been maintained to a high standard in recent years. The only blemish in the history occurred in August 2022, when minor issues—edge-worn tyres and a defective wiper blade—were addressed, but these were resolved by the following test. The absence of recurring mechanical faults, structural advisories, or emissions failures suggests no underlying neglect or deterioration in core systems like brakes, suspension, or exhaust. That said, the 2022 entry does highlight a pattern of deferred maintenance on consumables, particularly tyres, which were allowed to wear dangerously close to the legal limit before correction. The Agila’s mileage progression reveals a vehicle that has seen very light use for its age, averaging just 3,982 miles per year over its 16-year lifespan. This low mileage is unusual for a car of this vintage, typically suggesting either infrequent driving or prolonged periods of disuse. The jump from 42,288 miles in August 2021 to 55,298 miles in August 2022—a gain of 13,010 miles in a single year—is the most notable anomaly, though even this represents modest annual usage. The subsequent three years show minimal mileage accumulation, with only 8,408 miles added between 2022 and 2025. Such low annual mileage can reduce wear on drivetrain and suspension components, but it also raises questions about potential fluid degradation (e.g., brake fluid, coolant) or rubber hardening in seals and hoses, which may not have been stressed regularly. For a prospective buyer, the key areas to scrutinise in person centre on the tyres and wiper system, given the 2022 MOT’s advisories. The edge-worn tyres flagged then suggest the wheels may have been misaligned or that the car was driven with uneven pressure, which could stress suspension bushes or coil springs over time. Inspect the rear suspension mounts for cracks or excessive play, and check the condition of the rear brake calipers for binding or corrosion—particularly if the vehicle has spent long periods in damp or salty conditions. The defective wiper blade indicates a history of neglect on minor consumables, so verify the current state of the front and rear wiper blades, as well as the washer fluid system. Beyond that, given the clean MOT history, structural integrity—such as sills, wheel arches, and subframe—should hold up well, but a thorough underbody check for corrosion is still prudent, especially on a 16-year-old vehicle with such low mileage. No advisories on brakes, emissions, or steering suggest these systems are unlikely to require immediate attention, but a pre-purchase brake fluid flush and suspension health check would be advisable given the car’s age.