2018 Suzuki Ignis 1.2L Petrol · LM18 TOH

A pattern of front axle wear has emerged across three consecutive MOT tests on this 2018 Suzuki Ignis, establishing brake and brake-related deterioration as the defining concern in its roadworthiness history. The most recent test on 23 April 2026 recorded a pass alongside three advisories, all centred on the front end: both front brake discs showing wear, the offside front brake pad reduced to roughly 2mm, and the offside front tyre worn to 3mm on a 175/60 R16. This follows the 2025 test, which flagged severely worn and pitted nearside and offside front discs, an offside front inner pad at 3mm recommended for renewal, and a nearside front tyre at the legal limit and cut in the tread. While the 2024 test passed with only two minor items relating to deteriorated anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust covers, the cumulative picture points to consistent front-end consumption that has progressed rather than resolved between annual tests. The 2023 and earlier tests were clean of brake and tyre advisories, indicating this is a relatively recent trend rather than a long-standing issue. The recorded mileage of 46,271 miles over an eight-year span equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 5,784 miles, which sits at the lower end of typical usage for a vehicle of this age. The MOT testing pattern is regular, with annual tests from 2020 onwards and no significant gaps, suggesting the car has been in continuous light use rather than laid up for extended periods. Annual mileage between recorded tests has remained broadly steady, and the lower-than-average usage means the drivetrain, clutch, and major mechanical assemblies have not been subjected to high wear rates. However, light annual mileage combined with the recurring front-end advisories points to a vehicle that is being driven gently in terms of distance but whose consumables are nonetheless reaching end-of-life, consistent with urban or short-journey operation where repeated low-speed braking places disproportionate load on the front discs and pads. For a prospective buyer, the front brake system should be the priority inspection area. The discs have been flagged as worn, pitted, and scored across two consecutive years, and the pads have thinned to near-replacement thickness, so a thorough check of disc thickness with a gauge, pad material remaining, and any lipping or hot spots on the disc surface is warranted. On a test drive, listen for any scraping, grinding, or squealing from the front wheels under light braking, and feel for judder or vibration through the steering wheel or brake pedal that would indicate disc runout or uneven wear. The brake fluid should also be assessed for age, as repeated pad and disc renewals create opportunities for fluid contamination and the records alone do not confirm when it was last exchanged. The front tyres require equal attention given that a 3mm tread depth on a 175/60 R16 has now been recorded twice across 2022, 2025, and 2026, with inner-edge wear and tread cuts also noted. Uneven inner-edge wear on a front axle can point to worn suspension geometry, and combined with the deteriorated anti-roll bar linkage dust covers flagged in 2024, the front suspension should be inspected for play in the anti-roll bar drop links, worn track rod ends, and any clonking over bumps at low speed. Steering pull to one side under braking or uneven braking effort would further indicate caliper or hydraulic issues, particularly given the offside front pad wear pattern. Finally, a check for any corrosion on the underside, brake pipes, and suspension components is advisable given the vehicle's age, and a visual inspection of the rear discs and pads would establish whether the wear pattern is symmetrical or front-biased, the latter being typical of this model.