2010 SEAT Ibiza 1.4L Petrol · M26 CEA

The most recent MOT in October 2025 at 185,832 miles passed but revealed a persistent issue with the offside front tyre, now worn close to the legal limit and showing edge wear—a fault that has recurred since at least 2024. While the vehicle has avoided major failures in the last year, the trend of recurring advisories on exhaust leaks, suspension wear, and parking brake efficiency suggests deferred maintenance rather than outright neglect. The October 2024 test highlighted a loose rear silencer and a parking brake barely meeting efficiency standards, indicating the brakes may require imminent adjustment or component replacement. The July 2023 entry, though clean, was followed by a failed test in July 2022 due to a severely deteriorated anti-roll bar linkage dust cover and an insecure steering column universal joint—a critical safety concern that was somehow rectified before the next test. This inconsistency implies either patchwork repairs or a change in ownership, but the lingering advisories point to a vehicle that has not been consistently maintained beyond the minimum legal requirements. The IBIZA’s mileage accumulation of roughly 11,600 miles per year aligns with typical usage for its age, though the gap between the July 2022 failure and the October 2024 pass (nearly two years) suggests either a period of reduced driving or, more likely, the vehicle being kept in service despite known faults. The mileage jump from 157,019 in July 2022 to 164,283 in July 2023 (7,264 miles in a year) and then to 178,564 by October 2024 (14,281 miles in 15 months) indicates variable usage, possibly with longer stretches of higher mileage interspersed with quieter periods. The most recent 7,268 miles between October 2024 and October 2025 suggest current use remains moderate, though the tyre wear advisory implies uneven loading or alignment issues that may have gone unaddressed. For a prospective buyer, the steering and suspension components demand immediate attention. The failed July 2022 test cited an insecure steering column universal joint and a worn front suspension arm pin or bush, both of which could compromise handling and safety if not resolved. The anti-roll bar linkage dust cover deterioration, while not a pass/fail item, often signals deeper wear to the ball joint or linkage itself—components that, if failing, would lead to erratic steering or suspension collapse. The exhaust system advisories, though minor, should be checked for rust or loose mounting points, as a failing silencer or leak could indicate broader corrosion concerns. The parking brake’s marginal efficiency in 2024, combined with the lack of further mention, raises questions about whether it has been serviced since—buyers should test its operation and inspect the cable and drum/sensor for wear. Finally, the recurring tyre wear on the offside front suggests alignment drift or uneven tyre pressure, which could accelerate suspension wear if ignored. A pre-purchase inspection should verify all these areas, with particular focus on steering responsiveness and brake functionality under load.