2010 Chevrolet Spark 1.2L Petrol · SL10 UNM

The 2010 Chevrolet Spark presents a mixed maintenance picture, with the most recent MOT on 10 June 2025 passing at 52,998 miles but only after an initial failure on the same day. That first attempt flagged a non-functioning nearside front position lamp, which was rectified before the retest. The pass, however, carried four advisories: both front tyres worn close to the legal limit on their edges, both front brake discs worn, pitted or scored, and both rear tyres showing cracking or perishing. These are not dangerous failures, but they indicate the car is running on marginal consumables right at the test threshold. The maintenance trend is not clearly improving. It sits somewhere between stable and slightly deteriorating, with tyre and brake wear recurring as a theme rather than a one-off. Mileage accumulation tells a story of very light use. Between the July 2024 pass at 46,231 miles and the June 2025 test at 52,998 miles, the car covered 6,767 miles in just under eleven months, which is a notable jump compared to the annual average of roughly 3,312 miles over its sixteen-year life. That spike could reflect a change of owner or a sudden increase in daily use after a period of low activity. The gap between the 2023 test at 44,272 miles and the 2024 test at 46,231 miles shows only 1,959 miles in a full year, reinforcing the likelihood of long periods standing idle before the recent uptick. The 2024 failure is the most technically significant entry in the record. On 3 July 2024 at 46,223 miles, the tester flagged a binding offside rear service brake, excessive parking brake lever movement from incorrect adjustment, and a serious fluid leak from the nearside rear shock absorber. All three were rectified before the pass two days later, but a binding caliper and a leaking damper on the same axle suggest the rear braking and suspension system has had a genuine fault episode rather than just slow wear. The 2023 test also noted light oil misting on the nearside rear shock absorber and a slightly worn upper shock absorber bush on the offside front, so the rear suspension in particular has drawn repeated attention across consecutive years. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the rear suspension and braking system. Check the rear shock absorbers for fresh oil misting, weeping, or damping loss, and inspect the offside rear caliper for any tendency to drag or overheat after a short drive. The front brake discs were advisory-worn in June 2025, so measure disc thickness and look for lipping or heat scoring. All four tyres are a concern: the rears are perishing, and the fronts are edge-worn, which on a small city car often points to under-inflation or neglected alignment. Confirm the tyre dates and condition in person, and budget for a full set if the cracking has penetrated the sidewall. The mileage pattern and fault history do not suggest neglect so much as sporadic use with deferred consumable replacement, which is common on low-mileage city cars but still requires careful mechanical verification before purchase.