2009 SEAT Ibiza 1.4L Petrol · GY59 TYT

The vehicle presents a borderline mechanical picture. The most recent MOT on 10 November 2025 at 143,662 miles resulted in a failure on the same day it later passed, indicating the owner rectified the immediate failure (windscreen washer and registration plate lamp) within the same session. However, the advisory items carried forward from the failure to the pass reveal a pattern of deferred suspension and chassis maintenance. The trend is one of gradual deterioration rather than active repair. Worn suspension bushes, a lightly misting nearside front shock absorber, and a damaged handbrake cable were all noted as advisories in the latest test. These are not new failures, but their presence as advisories suggests the vehicle is being kept on the road rather than properly restored. The mileage accumulation tells a story of consistent, steady use. Between November 2022 at 118,425 miles and November 2025 at 143,662 miles, the car covered roughly 25,237 miles over three years, averaging approximately 8,400 miles annually. This aligns with the typical usage for a vehicle of this age and suggests no alarming gaps or sudden spikes in the recorded history. The MOT record itself is complete and consecutive from 2022 through 2025, with no missed years, which is a positive indicator of the vehicle being kept in regular use and presented for testing. A buyer should treat the suspension and chassis components as the primary area of concern. The history shows a recurring theme of worn bushes and linkages. In the November 2024 test at 133,996 miles, both front and rear coil springs were flagged for corrosion, and the offside rear service brake was noted as binding. By the November 2025 test at 143,662 miles, the advisory list had grown to include worn Macpherson strut bushes, a worn lower suspension arm bush on the nearside front, and a worn anti-roll bar bush on the offside front. The nearside front shock absorber was also misting oil. These are not isolated faults. They point to a vehicle where the rubber and bush components across the front and rear suspension have aged together and will likely require a consolidated overhaul to restore proper handling and eliminate the advisories. The braking system also warrants a close physical inspection. The tester flagged a binding offside rear service brake in November 2024 and a damaged nearside handbrake cable in November 2025. A binding caliper can cause uneven brake disc wear, overheating, and increased fuel consumption. The handbrake cable damage, even if not deemed excessive, is a mechanical vulnerability that could lead to a sudden failure of the parking brake. Combined with the corroded coil springs and the deteriorating suspension bushes, this vehicle requires a thorough underbody inspection. A prospective buyer should check for fresh paint or welding on the suspension mounts and subframe, as the corrosion advisories on the springs raise questions about the overall structural integrity of the underside.