2002 Vauxhall Corsa 1.0L Petrol · OU52 YZS

The vehicle presents a mixed maintenance profile that shows signs of worsening mechanical attention despite a recent pass. While the June 2024 test at 97,891 miles resulted in a pass, the tester flagged several minor defects including a damaged windscreen, an inoperative registration plate lamp, and a discoloured indicator. More concerning is the emergence of play in the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, which follows a pattern of recurring suspension and exhaust issues seen in previous years. The mileage history indicates very low annual usage for a 24-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 4,000 miles per year. Between November 2021 and January 2023, the car covered roughly 7,300 miles, and it has added another 13,740 miles since the early 2023 test. This low-mileage usage often correlates with vehicles that spend long periods stationary, which aligns with the 2021 advisories regarding badly perished rear tyres and corroded coil springs. A prospective buyer must prioritise a thorough inspection of the underside to assess structural integrity and corrosion levels. The 2021 records highlight significant corrosion on both nearside and offside rear coil springs, and while these may have been addressed, the underlying tendency for rust remains a risk. The exhaust system also shows a history of instability, moving from a minor leak in November 2021 to a major leak causing a failure in January 2023. Further attention should be given to the drivetrain and suspension components. The split offside front outer drive shaft CV boot noted in November 2021 suggests that rubber components are prone to degradation on this vehicle. Given the recent advisory regarding the anti-roll bar linkage, a physical check of all suspension bushes, ball joints, and drive shafts is necessary to ensure no further deterioration has occurred since the last inspection.