2014 SEAT Ibiza 1.4L Petrol · KP14 XNE

The most recent DVSA MOT test conducted on 6 August 2026 resulted in a clean pass with no defects or advisories recorded, and this follows an equally unblemished pass on 4 August 2025. Looking back through the recorded history, the vehicle has demonstrated a generally strong maintenance profile, with five consecutive passes from 2020 through to 2023 carrying no advisories whatsoever. The single point of concern appears in the 2024 test cycle, where a fail was issued on 7 August 2024 for a fractured offside rear coil spring and a perished nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover, both categorised as major defects. These items were evidently rectified, as the same date also shows a subsequent pass with only minor advisory notes. The fact that no defects have appeared in the two tests since that failure indicates the underlying issues were properly addressed rather than masked, and the current trend can reasonably be described as stable and improving. With 81,216 miles recorded over approximately twelve years, this SEAT Ibiza is averaging around 6,768 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of its age and segment. There is no evidence within the MOT history of extended standing periods or rapid mileage accumulation that would suggest either neglect or exceptionally hard use. That said, even at modest annual mileage the calendar-based degradation of components such as rubber bushes, drive belts, coolant, brake fluid, and tyres will still occur, and these are not necessarily reflected in annual mileage readings. Prospective buyers should therefore not be lulled into complacency by the relatively low annual figure, as age-related deterioration is independent of distance travelled. Given the relatively clean recent MOT history and the absence of recurring advisories, physical inspection should now focus on the areas most susceptible to calendar-based wear at this stage of the vehicle's life. The 2024 advisory regarding an offside front tyre worn on its inner edge should prompt a thorough inspection of the current set of tyres, paying particular attention not only to tread depth but also to sidewall cracking or perishing from age, and to uneven wear patterns that might suggest an underlying suspension or geometry issue. The nearside front anti-roll bar linkage and the offside rear coil spring, both replaced in 2024, should be examined for any signs of renewed play, cracking, or sagging, particularly as the original coil spring failure suggests the vehicle may be operating on its second set of rear springs already at this age. A test drive over uneven surfaces should be undertaken with the radio off and windows down to listen for any clonks, knocks, or rear-end sagging under acceleration and cornering. Given the vehicle's age, additional checks should include a careful inspection of all brake discs for corrosion pitting or lipping, particularly if the car has stood for extended periods, as binding is common on lightly used vehicles. The 12V battery should be tested for state of health, as batteries in vehicles of this age frequently fail without warning and can leave the owner stranded. All fluid levels and their respective service intervals should be verified against the manufacturer's schedule, with particular attention to brake fluid, which typically requires replacement every two years regardless of mileage due to its hygroscopic nature, and coolant, which can degrade and become acidic over time. Finally, the underside should be examined for any signs of corrosion to structural or load-bearing components, and the exhaust system checked for blowing joints or deteriorating mounting rubbers, both of which are common MOT failure points on vehicles of this vintage regardless of recorded mileage. Verifying a full and consistent service history with documented stamp evidence will provide further reassurance that the mechanical condition matches the favourable MOT record.