2015 SEAT Ibiza 1.2L Petrol · FY15 VAF

The vehicle most recently presented for DVSA testing on 9 September 2025 and achieved a PASS, albeit alongside a substantial number of advisory and minor defect entries. A failed outcome was also recorded on the same date, suggesting a retest was conducted promptly after remedial work. While a current pass is in place, the volume of advisories raised across the front axle, brakes and tyres indicates a clear maintenance trend that warrants careful attention. The presence of a previous Dangerous failure on 12 December 2024 for front brake pads measuring less than 1.5 mm is particularly significant, as it indicates the vehicle was previously driven with braking efficiency at a critical threshold. When compared with the clean pass recorded on 5 December 2023, the trajectory is one of progressive deterioration in consumable and chassis components rather than stability or improvement, and a prospective buyer should plan for imminent rectification of the items flagged. The recorded mileage of 106,717 miles across an 11-year lifespan equates to roughly 9,700 miles per annum, which sits broadly in line with typical UK usage for a supermini of this age. The annual accumulation is not excessive, but the actual mechanical wear on suspension, braking and drivetrain components will still be substantial given the total mileage in absolute terms. The MOT record does not suggest any extended period of standing or unusually low use, and the recurring front-end wear items are consistent with a vehicle that has covered meaningful distances rather than being garaged for long periods. Even at this average annual rate, items such as coil springs, suspension bushes, wheel bearings and exhaust components will have experienced significant fatigue cycles and should be inspected accordingly. A prospective buyer should treat the offside front anti-roll bar linkage dust cover, the track rod end dust cover and the worn inner suspension arm pin or bush as a cluster of related front suspension concerns. Although these were categorised as minor and advisory rather than failure items, perished dust covers permit water and grit ingress into the ball joint, accelerating internal wear and potentially leading to looseness, play or a knocking noise over speed humps and uneven surfaces. On a test drive, listen for clonks or rattling from the front end during low-speed manoeuvres, pay particular attention to vague or wandering steering response, and inspect the offside front tyre for any irregular inner-edge wear that may indicate geometry drift or suspension movement. These items frequently progress together, so it would be prudent to factor in the cost of replacement anti-roll bar drop links, track rod ends and suspension bushes when negotiating price. The braking system advisories also deserve focused inspection. The offside rear brake pads were noted as wearing thin, and the front brake discs as pitted or scored though not seriously weakened, suggesting a near-term requirement for pad replacement and potentially disc refurbishment or renewal. On a test drive, listen for brake squeal or grinding, feel for any shudder or vibration through the steering wheel under heavy braking, and verify that the vehicle pulls up straight. Beyond the recorded items, an 11-year-old Ibiza with this mileage warrants checks for age-related deterioration irrespective of MOT findings. Inspect all tyre sidewalls for perishing or cracking, examine the exhaust system for corrosion particularly around the rear silencer and mounting rubbers, test the 12V battery under load as alternator and battery health decline with age, and verify the service history to confirm that brake fluid, coolant and cambelt or timing chain intervals have been observed. Given the recurring front-end wear pattern, a pre-purchase inspection by a competent independent technician with the vehicle raised on a ramp is strongly recommended.