2018 Suzuki Ignis 1.2L Petrol · ET67 DHJ

The 2018 Suzuki Ignis currently holds a valid MOT issued on 22 May 2026 at 47,361 miles, but the maintenance trend is mixed rather than clearly improving. The vehicle failed its 21 May 2026 test on four separate items before passing on the following day. Both front tyres were found either illegal or borderline, and the rear tyres showed perishing and cracking across both sides. The tester also flagged insecure track rod end ball joint dust covers on both front wheels. These are rubber and consumable items, yet the pattern across two consecutive days suggests the car was presented in poor tyre condition and only rectified at short notice. The 2025 test at 38,992 miles also recorded a failure before a pass, this time for insufficient washer fluid alongside recurring advisory-level wear on track rod end dust covers and a light oil misting on the nearside front shock absorber. That shock absorber advisory has now persisted across three consecutive annual tests, from 2024 through 2026, indicating a slow but unresolved deterioration that a buyer should treat as a developing fault rather than a one-off observation. The mileage accumulation is notably low for an eight-year-old vehicle. Between the 2024 test at 31,779 miles and the 2025 test at 38,992 miles, the car covered 7,213 miles in roughly twelve months. However, from May 2025 to May 2026, the recorded mileage increased by only 8,369 miles, and by June 2026 the total stood at 47,361 miles, averaging approximately 5,920 miles per year over the vehicle's life. This is well below the UK average annual mileage of around 7,500 to 8,000 miles. Low annual use can mean reduced mechanical wear on drivetrain and braking components, but it also raises the possibility of prolonged standing periods, which can accelerate rubber deterioration, dry out seals, and cause localised corrosion on brake discs and suspension components. The tyre perishing noted repeatedly in 2026 is consistent with a vehicle that may sit idle for extended intervals rather than being driven regularly. A buyer inspecting this Ignis in person should pay close attention to the front suspension and steering components. The track rod end ball joint dust covers have appeared in the record across multiple years, progressing from deteriorated but functional in 2025 to insecure and no longer preventing dirt ingress in 2026. Once dirt enters a ball joint, accelerated wear of the joint itself is inevitable, and premature failure could affect steering precision. The persistent light oil misting on the nearside front shock absorber warrants a thorough check for damping loss, uneven bounce, or visible fluid residue on the damper body. Both front anti-roll bar linkage dust covers were flagged as severely deteriorated in 2024, and while this did not reappear in subsequent tests, it suggests the front end has seen sustained exposure to contamination. The tyre condition issues in May 2026, with both front tyres at or near the legal minimum and both rear tyres perished, point to either deferred maintenance or prolonged storage. A buyer should inspect all four sidewalls carefully for age-related cracking, regardless of remaining tread depth, and verify the date codes to confirm when each tyre was manufactured. The braking system and underbody condition deserve attention as well. Low-mileage vehicles frequently suffer from surface corrosion on brake discs and calipers caused by short journeys and standing periods, which can lead to binding or uneven braking. The 2026 test did not flag any brake-related defects, but the absence of advisories does not guarantee the system is free from corrosion-related issues. A test drive should include a firm braking assessment from moderate speed to check for pulling, judder, or binding. The exhaust and structural underside should also be inspected for corrosion, particularly around mounting points and box sections, as the car's age and low use pattern can create conditions where moisture accumulates and attacks unprotected metal. Overall, the Ignis presents as a mechanically sound low-mileage vehicle with a valid MOT, but the recurring suspension advisories and the pattern of tyre neglect suggest previous owners addressed failures reactively rather than maintaining the car proactively.