2018 SEAT Ibiza 1.6L Diesel · BA18 AOO

The most recent DVSA examination on 29 July 2026 resulted in a PASS, accompanied by a single advisory relating to a worn pin or bush on the nearside front lower suspension arm, itemised under the category of components not yet resulting in excessive movement. Looking at the broader MOT history, the maintenance trend can be characterised as broadly stable but with recurring concerns in certain wear areas. The vehicle has passed three of its last four tests, with the one failure in July 2025 being a particularly serious event comprising two dangerous defects, namely brake pads worn below the 1.5 mm legal minimum and an offside front tyre with ply or cords exposed. The fact that the vehicle was subsequently presented just two days later and passed, after presumably addressing these dangerous items, suggests the car was correctly rectified. However, the same advisories from that test, relating to pitted or scored front inner brake discs and light oil misting from the offside front shock absorber, have not been formally cleared, indicating these components remain on a wear trajectory. The repeated front brake pad advisories across 2022 and 2025, alongside disc wear, point to an owner who may have been slower than ideal in attending to the front braking system, and the suspension arm bush advisory from 2026 suggests further attention to the front suspension is now warranted. At 79,888 miles on an eight year old vehicle, the recorded annual mileage of approximately 9,986 miles sits squarely within the typical range for a car of this age, indicating regular but not exhaustive use. There are no significant gaps in the MOT record to suggest prolonged standing, nor is there evidence of rapid mileage accumulation that would imply motorway fleet use. This middle-ground usage profile is generally favourable from a corrosion and component-seizure perspective, particularly given the SEAT Ibiza's known sensitivity to caliper binding and brake disc corrosion when left unused, but it does mean that all consumable items have been worked and aged proportionally to the mileage. The annual MOT cycle appears consistent, and the mileage increments between tests are broadly proportional, suggesting an honest odometer rather than any irregular activity. For a prospective buyer, the current advisories deserve direct physical inspection and a targeted test drive. The 2026 advisory concerning the nearside front lower suspension arm pin or bush should be evaluated by hand pressure on the wheel to detect any clonking or wandering, and on the road one should listen for a dull thud or rattle transmitted through the bulkhead when traversing speed humps or uneven surfaces. Such bushes typically progress to excessive movement and eventual MOT failure, so budgeting for replacement is prudent if visible play is detected. The historical record of front inner brake disc pitting and scoring, alongside recurring brake pad advisories, indicates that the discs have likely been machined or replaced previously, and any test drive should be free of brake shudder through the steering wheel under firm application, which would suggest the discs are warped or have uneven run-out due to corrosion. The light oil misting on the offside front shock absorber noted in 2025 suggests the damper seals are beginning to perish, and a buyer should inspect the surrounding area for fresh wetness, listen for a knock over undulating surfaces, and note any nosedive under heavy braking which would indicate degraded damping. Given the vehicle's age and mileage, several additional checks beyond the MOT record are strongly recommended. Tyres should be examined for sidewall cracking or perishing, as a previous advisory flagged cracking on the offside rear tyre, and eight year old rubber compounds harden regardless of tread depth, particularly if the car has stood for any extended period. The 12 volt battery, which on SEAT Ibizas of this era is often hidden beneath the plenum or under the rear seat, is approaching the end of its typical five to seven year service life, so a load test or voltage check under cranking conditions would be sensible, as a weak battery commonly produces misleading electrical faults. Brake caliper slide pins should be examined for smooth retraction, as corrosion-induced binding is common on this platform and will produce uneven pad wear consistent with the advisory pattern seen here. Finally, the service book should be verified for annual or twelve thousand mile interval stamps confirming timely replacement of engine oil and filter, brake fluid, coolant, and spark plugs, as the Ibiza's 1.0 or 1.5 TSI engines are sensitive to extended oil drain intervals, and a fully stamped history would substantially enhance buyer confidence in this otherwise reasonably maintained example.