2009 Vauxhall Agila 1.2L Petrol · WM09 FJD

A 2009 Vauxhall Agila with this MOT history tells a story of a vehicle that has only once failed a test, yet carries a pattern of advisories that warrant close attention from any prospective buyer. The most recent test on 8 June 2026 was a pass, but it came with an advisory for slight play in the nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint, a component that is critical to the car's cornering stability and suspension geometry. Earlier, the 2025 test cycle included a fail primarily driven by tyre condition, with advisories also recorded for both rear tyres showing perishing and an offside front road wheel with slight distortion. This suggests a car that is fundamentally roadworthy but is beginning to show its age in terms of rubber components and suspension wear. The trajectory is not sharply worsening, but the accumulation of advisories across two consecutive test cycles indicates components that are now into the wear phase and likely to require attention in the near future. With 104,290 miles recorded over approximately seventeen years, the annual accumulation of around 6,135 miles is broadly typical for a car of this age and class, suggesting it has been used as intended rather than neglected or excessively driven. There are no significant gaps in the testing history that would suggest extended periods off the road, and no evidence of dramatic mileage spikes between tests that might indicate clocked readings or inconsistent use. This consistent usage pattern is mechanically favourable because it generally means components have been exercised regularly rather than suffering from the corrosion and seal degradation that affect low-mileage or stored vehicles. The recorded mileage is high enough, however, to expect normal wear on suspension bushes, brake components, and engine ancillaries typical of a small petrol city car approaching its twilight years. Given the recurring advisories, a prospective buyer should focus their inspection on the front suspension and steering geometry. The anti-roll bar ball joint play flagged in 2026 should be evaluated by physically rocking the wheel at top and bottom to detect any knocking or excessive movement, and by listening for clonks over uneven surfaces during a test drive. The previous advisories for tyre wear on the inner edges of both front tyres and a distorted offside front wheel suggest potential tracking or suspension geometry issues, possibly linked to worn lower arms, droplinks, or strut top mount bearings, so any pulling to one side, uneven steering return, or vibration through the steering wheel above 40 mph should be taken seriously. The nearside and offside rear tyre perishing advisories from 2025 indicate age-related rubber degradation, and all four tyres should be inspected for sidewall cracking, bulging, or uneven tread wear, with particular attention to the inner edges where the previous premature wear was noted. Beyond the flagged items, a thorough test drive should include firm braking from around 40 mph to check for any pulling, vibration through the pedal, or grinding noises that might suggest warped discs or worn pads, especially given the mileage. Listen for any clonking or knocking from the front suspension over speed bumps and uneven road surfaces, as the anti-roll bar ball joint play could be accompanied by wear in the drop links, anti-roll bar bushes, or lower control arm bushes. Inspect the underside for any signs of corrosion, particularly around the suspension subframes, brake pipes, and sill areas, as Agilas of this era can suffer from structural surface corrosion. Finally, check for oil leaks around the engine and gearbox, verify that the cooling fan operates correctly, and ensure there are no dashboard warning lights, as a 104,000-mile example will inevitably be approaching the point where several service items such as cambelt, water pump, and suspension refreshes become prudent preventative maintenance regardless of what the MOT record alone reveals.