2017 SEAT Ibiza 1.2L Petrol · DF17 OJS

The 2017 SEAT Ibiza most recently passed its MOT on 30 June 2026, with two advisories recorded at that test, and overall the maintenance trend appears broadly stable with no repeat failures since a single major defect was rectified in 2024. The earlier fail on 4 July 2024 for a nearside front suspension arm pin or bush being excessively worn was clearly addressed, as the vehicle has passed two subsequent tests without any recurrence in the suspension area. However, the presence of advisories at three of the last four tests, including a gearbox oil leak in 2026, a rear brake disc corrosion advisory in 2025, and tyre edge wear advisories in 2023 and 2026, suggests the vehicle is being maintained to a legal pass standard rather than a high preventative standard. This is not unusual for a nine year old car, but it does warrant closer inspection of the specific components flagged. Annual mileage stands at approximately 9,847 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and indicates consistent, regular use rather than long periods of standing. This kind of usage pattern is generally favourable because it tends to keep mechanical components, seals, brake components, and the 12 volt battery in better working order than a low mileage car that has spent extended time idle. There is no evidence of a significant mileage gap or sudden accumulation of miles between tests, with readings progressing reasonably steadily. The recorded odometer figure of 88,619 miles is therefore representative of genuine use, and the wear pattern seen in the advisories is consistent with a car of this age and mileage rather than any particular abuse or neglect. Given the advisories on file, a prospective buyer should pay close attention to several specific items. The 2026 advisory for an offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge should be checked in person, as edge wear can indicate suspension geometry issues, incorrect wheel alignment, or worn suspension components, and the tyres should be inspected for both tread depth and uneven wear patterns across the tread face. The gearbox oil leak, noted as not excessive, is worth monitoring; on a test drive listen for any whining or grinding from the gearbox, check for fresh oil residue on the underside of the engine and gearbox housing, and verify the fluid level is between marks on the dipstick if accessible. The 2025 advisory regarding rear brake disc corrosion is typical of a car that sees regular but not especially heavy use, and on inspection the buyer should look for any deep pitting, lipping, or roughness on the disc surface, as well as ensuring the rear calipers are not binding, which can be detected by feeling for uneven brake response or by checking if the rear wheels run hotter than the fronts after a drive. Beyond the advisory items, a 2017 Ibiza with nearly 89,000 miles should receive a thorough age related inspection regardless of the clean MOT record. Tyres should be checked for sidewall cracking and perishing, as nine year old rubber can deteriorate from age even with adequate tread. The brake fluid, coolant, and if applicable the manual transmission fluid should be considered due for time based replacement rather than purely mileage based servicing, as these fluids degrade chemically over the years. The 12 volt battery is likely approaching the end of its service life and is worth load testing. Suspension components including coil springs, shock absorbers, and anti roll bar links should be inspected for wear, and on a test drive any knocking, clonking, or wandering steering should be taken seriously. Exhaust condition including the mounting rubbers and any visible corrosion should be examined, and the service history should be verified for evidence of regular cambelt or timing chain attention, oil changes, and spark plug replacement, all of which are particularly important on a vehicle approaching the upper end of its expected service life.