2008 SEAT Ibiza 1.2L Petrol · CP08 AAK

The 2008 SEAT Ibiza presents a history of persistent mechanical advisories and recent significant failures, indicating a vehicle requiring ongoing attention to maintain roadworthiness. While it passed its latest MOT on 2026-08-06, this was only after failing a test just weeks prior on 2026-07-21 due to multiple major defects, including significantly weakened seat belt webbing on both the nearside front and offside rear, a split offside driveshaft constant velocity boot, and a perished offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover. This rapid succession of failure and retest highlights an underlying trend of component deterioration, with the subsequent pass still noting critical advisories such as play in the offside front steering rack inner joint, worn brake discs, a minor exhaust leak, and a recurring oil leak. With a recorded mileage of 97,737 miles over approximately 18 years, this Ibiza has accumulated roughly 5,430 miles per year, which is low for its age. While lower mileage can sometimes imply less wear on certain components, in an older vehicle it can also indicate extended periods of inactivity, potentially leading to issues such as perishing rubber components, corrosion, and deterioration of fluids and seals. The MOT history indeed reflects this, with recurring advisories for oil leaks, perished suspension arm dust covers, and seat belt fraying, all of which can be exacerbated by age and intermittent use rather than solely high mileage. Prospective buyers should pay particular attention to the front suspension and steering components. The recent advisory for play in the offside front steering rack inner joint is a significant concern; during a test drive, listen for any knocking or clunking noises when turning the steering wheel or driving over uneven surfaces, and feel for excessive play or looseness in the steering. The history also shows repeated issues with suspension arm ball joint dust covers and an anti-roll bar linkage, suggesting general wear in the front suspension; listen for creaking or knocking sounds from the front end over bumps. Given the past major failure of the offside driveshaft boot, inspect both front driveshaft boots for splits or cracks, and listen for clicking or clunking noises from the front wheels when accelerating or turning sharply, which could indicate a worn constant velocity joint. The advisory for worn, pitted, or scored front brake discs indicates they are nearing the end of their service life and will likely require replacement soon; check for any pulsing through the brake pedal or steering wheel judder during braking. The minor exhaust leak should be investigated, as it can worsen and lead to a future MOT failure for excessive emissions or noise; listen for any blowing sounds from the exhaust system. The recurring oil leak, while noted as not excessive, warrants inspection to determine its source and potential repair cost. Crucially, verify the condition of all seat belts, especially those previously flagged for significant weakening, ensuring they retract smoothly and show no signs of fraying or damage. Finally, confirm the windscreen damage does not impede the driver's view, as this has been a recurring minor defect.