2009 SEAT Ibiza 1.9L Diesel · CU09 MLE

The most recent MOT test on 11 September 2025 resulted in a pass, however this followed only three days after a fail on 8 September 2025 where a fractured offside front coil spring and a deep nearside front tyre cut were identified as major defects, alongside a headlamp aim failure on the nearside front. Both major items were clearly addressed prior to the re-test, as the vehicle subsequently passed, but the brake disc advisory for worn, pitted or scored condition across all four corners remains outstanding. Looking at the broader pattern over the last three years, the trend is one of escalating front-end wear: the 2024 test flagged both front tyres as worn close to the legal limit, with a nearside front track rod end dust cover deterioration also noted, and the 2025 test culminated in a fractured front coil spring and tyre damage exceeding legal limits. The recurrence of suspension, steering and braking-related advisories in consecutive years suggests that consumable front-end components are wearing at a higher rate than the odometer alone would imply, and a prospective buyer should treat this as a vehicle with ongoing, rather than resolved, mechanical attention required. The recorded mileage of 110,429 miles across seventeen years equates to an annual average of approximately 6,500 miles, which is broadly typical for a small family hatchback of this age, though it sits towards the lower end of the spectrum and suggests the car has likely seen a mixture of regular short journeys and periods of relatively light use. There are no significant gaps between MOT entries that would indicate long periods off the road, and the consistent year-on-year testing pattern implies the vehicle has been in continuous use. While lower annual mileage reduces wear on high-mileage components such as the engine and gearbox internals, it can conversely accelerate age-related degradation of rubber components, brake discs through corrosion from infrequent use, and fluid systems through calendar-based degradation rather than distance-based wear. Given the history of front-end defects, a thorough physical inspection should focus on the suspension, steering and braking assemblies. The fractured coil spring recorded in September 2025 is a known failure point on older Ibiza and related VW Group platform vehicles, and the offside front spring should be specifically checked for any signs of incomplete replacement or adjacent component damage; on a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises over bumps and undulations, which can indicate worn top mounts, suspension bushes or anti-roll bar links that may now be approaching the end of their service life. The persistent brake disc advisory for pitting and scoring across all corners warrants a close inspection of disc thickness and any lipping on the outer edges, as well as an assessment of caliper operation, particularly after periods of inactivity where seized slider pins or binding calipers are common. On test, expect any brake judder or vibration through the steering wheel under firm application to confirm disc run-out or distortion. Beyond the recorded defects, age-appropriate checks remain essential on a seventeen-year-old vehicle regardless of mileage. The front tyres flagged in 2024 should be inspected for both legal tread depth and, more critically given the vehicle's age, sidewall perishing or cracking from prolonged exposure to UV and temperature cycles, alongside any uneven shoulder wear that may suggest misalignment or worn suspension geometry. A 12V battery health check is advisable, as units of this vintage are well beyond typical service life and prone to cold-weather failure. Brake fluid, coolant and engine oil should all be verified for recent renewal, as these degrade with time rather than mileage, and the absence of a service book stamp history should prompt questioning of the timing belt replacement interval, which on the Ibiza petrol engines is calendar as well as mileage sensitive. Finally, the deteriorated CV joint boot noted in 2023 should be confirmed as rectified, and the nearside headlamp lens, which was flagged as slightly defective, inspected for any misting or moisture ingress that could compromise beam pattern or longevity.