2016 SEAT MII 1.0L Petrol · FP66 WOY

A clear pattern of front suspension wear is beginning to define the mechanical profile of this SEAT Mii, with both lower suspension arm pins or bushes on the front axle flagged as worn on the most recent test dated 7 August 2026. While neither item had progressed to the point of excessive movement and the vehicle still secured a pass, the fact that both sides are showing wear at the rearmost bush location suggests the compliant elements are nearing the end of their service life. The vehicle had previously passed with a clean bill of health in July 2025, so this represents a new development rather than a long-standing chronic issue, but it is the type of defect that tends to progress quickly once wear becomes detectable. The earlier advisory on the nearside rear road wheel being slightly distorted, recorded in August 2024, has not recurred, suggesting the wheel itself remained serviceable or was replaced. The intervening tests in October 2022 and October 2023 both passed cleanly, indicating the car has otherwise held its roadworthiness well over the full ten-year span. With 83,508 miles recorded against a ten-year life, this Mii has covered approximately 8,351 miles annually, which sits squarely in the typical band for an urban-focused small car of this age. The mileage progression between tests is broadly consistent, with no sudden spikes that might suggest an extended motorway commute or heavy commercial use, and equally no extended gaps that would point to long periods off the road. For a vehicle of this size and likely operating environment, the recorded odometer reading points to steady mixed-use driving where consumables such as brake pads, clutches and tyres would have been replaced multiple times already. The relatively gentle annual accumulation does, however, still place this car firmly into high-mileage territory for its class, meaning items like suspension components, engine mountings and exhaust system hangers will have accumulated meaningful wear even if individual test results look tidy. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension, given the dual advisories on both lower arm rearmost bushes. On a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front end when traversing speed bumps, potholes or uneven surfaces, and pay particular attention to whether any clonking is present when turning at low speed, as worn trailing arm bushes commonly produce noise under steering load. With the engine off and the front jacked, a technician should manually check each lower arm pin and bush for free play, as the MOT advisory threshold of not resulting in excessive movement means the wear is borderline and could move into failure territory at the next test. Also check for uneven inner shoulder wear on the front tyres, which can be an indirect consequence of worn suspension geometry components. The distorted nearside rear wheel advisory from 2024 warrants a visual check of that wheel for any remaining lateral run-out or vibration at speed, particularly between 50 and 70 mph where even a slight deformity becomes noticeable through the steering or seat. Given the overall mileage, it is also worth inspecting the rear brake shoes and drums, which are not always visible during MOT testing, and confirming handbrake effectiveness on an incline as the internal ratchet mechanism on Mii handbrakes can seize with age. The exhaust system should be examined for signs of corrosion at the mounting points and rear silencer box, as ten years of road exposure in the UK typically takes a toll on these components. Finally, verify the service history includes timing belt or chain replacement intervals as specified by SEAT, and confirm there are no oil leaks from the rear main seal or cam cover, which are common wear points on higher-mileage three-cylinder engines of this type.