MOT history help!

[Chabs]

Hi,

Buying a used car for the first time:
Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 i 16v Design 5dr
2009 (09 reg)
78,000 miles

I was wondering if I could have some assistance in understanding the previous MOT history.

There have been the same advisories on this car since 2015 (see below). Does that mean they are big problems that I will inevitably have to pay out on - or that they are not that big of a deal?

Also, the latest MOT (April 2018) doesn't seem to pick up any of those previous advisories - does that mean they have been fixed and therefore I should see them on the most recent service history - and if I don't I should have some serious quetsions? Or is it an indication that the dealer's friend has likely just signed off the MOT as a favour and actually I should be concerned?

I'm buying from a 'dealer', but he doesn't have a lot, website or even any reviews on AutoTrader so just trying to do all my homework and ensure I turn up to the viewing knowing what I should be asking.

Everything else on the HPI checks out fine... and it has Full Service History so is there anything I need to look out for here?

MOT info:

2015-May-19
MILEAGE 56890 mi
PASSED
ADVISORY
o Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
o Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)
o Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)
o Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)


2016-May-05
MILEAGE 65093 mi
PASSED
ADVISORY
o Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)
o Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment nearside/offside (2.5.A.1c)
o nearside front tyre fouling anti roll bar while suspension is hanging checking lock to lock

2017-May-25
MILEAGE 72295 mi
PASSED
ADVISORY
o Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)
o Rear coil spring corroded both (2.4.C.1b)
o Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

2018-Apr-17
PASSED
MILEAGE 78474 mi


Any assistance/help/guidance is greatly appreciated!

Thanks a million.

[paintman]

Advisories are the opinion of the tester. This will vary from tester to tester so what one considers an advisory another may not.

If you know what you're looking at then you should have an idea whether bits have been changed.
If you don't then I'd suggest paying for an independent inspection BEFORE buying the car. If the dealer won't allow this then walk away.
If they allow it & issues are raised then factor that into the deal or walk away.
It will cost you the price of the inspection but you won't be one of those on here subsequently going on about how you bought a car and then had it checked by another garage that gave you a big list of stuff that supposedly needs to be done. That's just muppetry & I do wonder whether said garage is just pulling their trousers down.

Edited by paintman on Tuesday 1st May 15:07

[cbmotorsport]

Looking at model and age, it's likely to be a cheap car, so perfection can't be expected. All those things are easily and cheaply sorted if you have basic spannering skills.

It's got a fresh MOT, I wouldn't worry.

[NickofName]

Whilst these wouldn't be the first advisories to mysteriously disappear when the car arrives at a trader, as others have said there's a fair bit of interpretation with MOTs anyway. I've had one tester say all my brake lines were rusty one year (which I ignored because they're stainless steel) and then never mention it the next despite nothing having changed on the car. It's not an exact science.

I think it would be naive to assume the dealer has fixed all those suspension components before selling it on, but nothing listed there is something you wouldn't expect from a fairly well-used Corsa anyway so I think it's a case of assume you're buying it with all those niggles and possibly be pleasantly surprised.

[carboy2017]

these are minor issues and due to wear and tear and any used car you buy is bound to have them I would worry about them but if in doubt take a mate who knows cars or if you dont mind paying ask for an RAC or AA inspection

[Chabs]

carboy2017 said:

these are minor issues and due to wear and tear and any used car you buy is bound to have them I would worry about them but if in doubt take a mate who knows cars or if you dont mind paying ask for an RAC or AA inspection

Sorry ... was that a typo saying 'I would' worry about them? or did you mean wouldn't? Thanks

[carboy2017]

Chabs said:

Sorry ... was that a typo saying 'I would' worry about them? or did you mean wouldn't? Thanks

that was a typo as i meant 'I wouldn't worry about them !
well spotted :-)

[Chabs]

Great! Thank you all for the help.
I went for a test drive yesterday and before me even mentioning to the other test driver about the MOT history they felt there was an issue with the brakes - noisy and slow/not as sharp.
So have arranged for an independent mechanic to go check it out for a pre-purchase inspection today - no doubt if I do go ahead an get it I'll have to pay for new brake pads!
Thank you for the help

[NickofName]

Chabs said:

Great! Thank you all for the help.
I went for a test drive yesterday and before me even mentioning to the other test driver about the MOT history they felt there was an issue with the brakes - noisy and slow/not as sharp.
So have arranged for an independent mechanic to go check it out for a pre-purchase inspection today - no doubt if I do go ahead an get it I'll have to pay for new brake pads!
Thank you for the help

Going by those advisories, it's the disks you'll want to have a look at, not just the pads. If the car has alloys you should be able to see the disk well enough to check if it has a massive lip on the edge without paying for an inspection. Might be a little late for that advice now though.