2015 SEAT Ibiza 1.2L Petrol · LP15 VVT

An irregular pattern of MOT outcomes defines the roadworthiness profile of this 2015 SEAT Ibiza. Across six recorded tests spanning 2020 to late 2024, the vehicle has alternated between clean passes and outright failures, with three of the six visits resulting in at least one defect classed as Major or Dangerous. The most recent activity on 13 November 2024 captures this inconsistency precisely: a pass with no advisories was recorded on the same day as a failure for both front wiper blades failing to clear the windscreen effectively, a relatively straightforward component defect but one that nonetheless kept the car off the road. Earlier failures in 2021 and 2022 involved a combination of tyre and lighting issues, including a dangerous failure for both front tyres being below the 1.6mm tread requirement in 2022. While no single category of defect has repeated across multiple years, the sheer frequency of failure events for an 11 year old vehicle is notable, and a prospective buyer should treat this as a car with a documented history of intermittent compliance rather than one with a consistently clean record. With 61,211 miles recorded on an 11 year old vehicle, the Ibiza has covered approximately 5,565 miles per year on average, a notably low annual accumulation. MOT test dates confirm a roughly annual testing cadence from 2020 onwards with no prolonged gaps, suggesting the vehicle has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for extended periods, but at distances well below typical commuter levels. Low annual mileage of this nature generally reduces wear on high stress drivetrain and engine components, though it can accelerate deterioration of rubber items, brake discs (through surface corrosion from infrequent use), and underbody components if the car is predominantly used for short journeys. The mileage progression between tests appears consistent rather than displaying sudden large jumps, so there is no immediate concern of clock discrepancies or unusual usage spikes in the recorded history. From a targeted inspection standpoint, the most relevant advisories to verify on a physical inspection are the corroded exhaust back box noted in 2021 and the nearside front tyre wearing on the edge flagged in 2022. The exhaust note should be checked for any rattling, blowing sounds, or visible holing particularly around the rear silencer area, and the mounting rubbers inspected for separation. The 2022 tyre wear pattern on the nearside front is worth investigating as edge wear on a single side can indicate alignment issues, worn suspension components, or tracking problems; the car should be driven straight on a flat road and any pulling to one side noted. A test drive should also include firm braking from speed to detect any judder suggesting warped brake discs, a common issue on low mileage vehicles that sit unused, and the steering checked for any knocking or looseness over uneven surfaces that could point to deteriorated suspension linkages or bushes. Several other specific items warrant close physical attention based on the recorded defects. The headlamp aim fault recorded as a major in 2022 should prompt a check that both headlamps produce a level, symmetrical beam pattern with no obvious scatter or incorrect cutoff, and that the adjustment mechanism is intact. Both front wiper blades should be operated across a wet screen to confirm they clear effectively without smearing or leaving unwiped arcs, as a repeat of the November 2024 failure would indicate. All four tyres should be inspected for both tread depth (using a calibrated gauge rather than relying solely on the tread wear indicators) and for any sidewall cuts, bulges, or uneven wear patterns, given the 2021 major failure for a deep nearside rear tyre cut and the 2022 dangerous tread depth failure on both front tyres. Finally, a thorough underside examination or ramp inspection is advisable to confirm there is no significant corrosion developing on the subframe, brake pipes, or suspension arms, as none has yet been flagged but the vehicle is entering an age range where such issues commonly begin to surface.