2007 SEAT Altea 1.6L Petrol · FD07 RYB

The vehicle presents a concerning state of roadworthiness with a clear trend of reactive rather than preventative maintenance. The most recent test in December 2022 at 109,064 miles resulted in a comprehensive failure involving multiple critical systems including lighting, suspension, exhaust, and braking. The presence of an inoperative parking brake with less than 50% efficiency, alongside a fractured offside rear coil spring, indicates that essential mechanical components were only addressed after they reached a point of total failure or legal breach. At 19 years old, the recorded mileage of 109,064 miles is notably low, averaging approximately 5,740 miles per year. However, the data shows a significant gap in records between July 2021 and December 2022, where the vehicle covered over 14,000 miles in 17 months. This period of higher use followed a failure for thin brake pads and structural tyre. The low annual mileage on a high-age vehicle often leads to the degradation of rubber components and accelerated corrosion, which is consistent with the split CV and cracked tyres noted. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the suspension and braking architecture, as the history shows recurring issues with anti-roll bar ball joints and parking brake mechanisms. The exhaust system showed a major leak in 2021 and a minor leak in 2022, suggesting the manifold or piping is thinning from corrosion. Given the previous failures for inner edge tyre wear and structural tyre, the wheel alignment should be verified to prevent further premature damage. Because the last recorded test was over three and a half years ago, the current state of these previously failed components is unknown and represents a significant risk.