2018 SEAT Ateca 1.0L Petrol · NA68 ACZ

The vehicle presents a mixed maintenance profile, showing a recent decline in component reliability. While the most recent test on 23 October 2025 at 68,130 miles resulted in a pass, the vehicle failed earlier that same day due to a serious fluid leak from the nearside rear shock absorber. This failure indicates a sudden component breakdown rather than a gradual wear pattern. The maintenance trend appears to be worsening, moving from a clean record in 2021 and 2022 to more frequent mechanical advisories and failures in recent years. The mileage accumulation is consistent with a typical usage pattern for an eight-year-old vehicle. The car has covered approximately 8,500 miles per year, growing from 38,648 miles in October 2021 to 68,130 miles in October 2025. This steady progression suggests regular road use rather than long periods of inactivity. The absence of significant mileage gaps between annual tests indicates the vehicle has been in consistent service throughout its life. A prospective buyer should focus heavily on the braking system and suspension. The MOT history shows a recurring pattern of thinning brake pads, with advisories recorded in October 2023 at 49,418 miles and again in October 2024 at 56,734 miles. The 2024 test also highlighted multiple tyres worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edges, suggesting potential alignment issues or simply neglected consumable replacement. The recent shock absorber failure necessitates a physical inspection of the entire suspension assembly. You should check all four dampers for similar signs of weeping or fluid leaks to ensure the nearside rear issue was an isolated incident. Additionally, verify that the brake discs show no signs of excessive scoring or uneven wear, given the repeated advisories regarding pad thickness. Confirm that the tyres currently fitted meet legal tread depth requirements and do not show the edge wear noted in previous inspections.