2018 SEAT Arona 1.6L Diesel · LR18 UOU

A pattern of persistent tyre perimeter deterioration sits at the centre of this SEAT Arona's MOT record, with cracking or perishing flagged on the nearside rear across three of the last four tests and on the offside rear at the 2025 assessment. More significantly, the vehicle failed its most recent attempt on 17 March 2026 due to two major defects, an illuminated Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicating an airbag or pretensioner fault, and an inoperative horn, before passing the retest on 24 March 2026 with the same nearside rear tyre advisory still standing. Front and rear brake pad advisories have also recurred over the cycle, with pads noted as wearing thin in 2023, while suspension, exhaust, corrosion, and structural advisories have not been recorded. The combination of an SRS fault that was significant enough to fail the test and a recurring tyre deterioration issue points to two distinct areas requiring immediate investigation before purchase. Against an age of eight years, the recorded 73,844 miles equates to roughly 9,230 miles annually, a rate consistent with typical mixed private and commuting use rather than extended standing periods or intensive high-mileage driving. The testing cadence is unbroken, with annual entries from 2021 through 2026, confirming the vehicle has remained in regular service throughout the period on file. This kind of consistent usage is mechanically beneficial because it prevents the cooling-system, brake-disc, and drivetrain issues that arise from prolonged lay-ups, and it supports predictable wear patterns on consumable components such as tyres and brake friction material. The Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp is the most pressing concern and warrants a diagnostic interrogation of the airbag control unit, crash sensors, wiring under the seats, and pretensioner circuits, as these faults can sometimes stem from connector corrosion under the seat bases or a depleted backup battery within the SRS module rather than a deployed airbag. A warning lamp that was not rectified between the fail and the pass within a single week should be questioned carefully, as a quick clearance using a diagnostic tool without proper repair will see the light return. The horn fault should be confirmed functional under load, as relay or steering-wheel clock-spring contact failures are common root causes. On the test drive, listen for any hesitation or unexpected intervention from the seatbelt pretensioners, and verify that the airbag warning lamp extinguishes promptly after ignition without flashing intermittently. The recurring tyre cracking and perishing across multiple positions suggests either ageing compound on a long-standing set, prolonged exposure to UV without rotation, or a wheel-alignment issue pulling unevenly on the shoulders. Inspect all four tyres for sidewall checking and tread depth, and check for uneven inner or outer shoulder wear that might indicate camber misalignment. The 2022 advisories flagged both front tyres worn close to the limit and on the edge, which is consistent with an alignment concern that may still be present. Brake-pad thickness should be physically measured through the wheel, and the discs examined for lipping or scoring, since the 2023 advisories indicate the friction material is approaching the point at which caliper binding or uneven wear could compromise stopping performance. On the road, test for a firm, progressive pedal without judder under heavy braking, and check for any pulling to one side that would suggest a seized caliper slide or a sticking handbrake mechanism on the rear.