2013 Chevrolet Spark 1.2L Petrol · WA13 OCV

The 2013 Chevrolet Spark currently holds a valid MOT issued on 12 January 2026 at 136,891 miles, but the maintenance trend is mixed rather than clearly improving. The most recent test passed, yet it followed a failure just three days earlier on 9 January 2026 at 136,732 miles, where the tester flagged an inoperative registration plate lamp, excessive wear in the offside front Macpherson strut top bush or bearing, and slight play in the nearside front strut ball joint. The same test also recorded an oil leak, noted as not excessive, a finding that carried through into the subsequent pass. Suspension wear at this mileage is not unusual, but the fact that front strut components required attention so close to the current date suggests the front end has been neglected or subjected to harsh use. The record does not show these items were rectified between the two January tests, meaning the pass likely relied on the faults falling just within tolerance rather than proper repair. Mileage accumulation tells a story of two distinct phases. Between the January 2024 test at 92,344 miles and the January 2025 test at 112,340 miles, the car covered roughly 20,000 miles in twelve months, a sharp increase that points to sustained daily use over that period. From January 2025 to January 2026, however, the odometer moved only from 112,340 to 136,891, a gain of approximately 24,500 miles, which is still above the typical annual figure of around 10,500 for a car of this age. The gap between the 2025 and 2026 tests is a full year, and the mileage jump is consistent with continued regular driving rather than long-term storage. There are no suspicious odometer reversals or implausible drops, so the record appears genuine and continuous. A buyer inspecting this Spark in person should focus on the front suspension and structural corrosion. The repeated Macpherson strut faults, combined with advisories for a rusty rear axle beam noted in both 2024 and 2025, raise questions about how the car has been driven and stored. The rear axle beam corrosion, specifically called out in the 2025 failure as a corroded beam, is a structural concern that can worsen rapidly in winter conditions. Have a garage put the car on a lift and examine the axle beam for section loss, particularly around mounting points and spring seats. Check the front strut top mounts and ball joints for play and deterioration, and verify whether the oil leak originates from the engine rocker cover, camshaft seals, or a more problematic source such as the crankshaft. The tyre wear noted in 2025, with both front tyres worn on edges and the nearside rear below the 1.6mm legal limit, hints at possible wheel alignment issues or worn suspension bushes that remain unresolved. Confirm the current tyre condition and request a four-wheel alignment check before purchase.