2017 SEAT Ibiza 1.0L Petrol · OY67 HTN

The defining mechanical theme across this Ibiza's MOT record is a pattern of front-end steering and suspension wear developing progressively through the vehicle's life, even though the most recent test on 2025-09-08 was passed with no defects recorded. Track rod end ball joint dust covers were flagged as damaged in 2022, deteriorated to the point of failing the car on 2023-09-11 with major advisories for both sides, and the following test in 2024-09-10 then surfaced worn rear bushes on both front suspension arms. The fact that dust cover deterioration, ball joint wear, and suspension arm bushes have all appeared within a short window points to a steering and front suspension assembly that is approaching the threshold of needing component-level intervention rather than just routine servicing, even though the car is still legally roadworthy. Against an average annual accumulation of roughly 5,154 miles, this Ibiza has seen noticeably light use for a nine-year-old vehicle, with recorded test entries clustered in the September months of 2020 through 2025. The consistent once-a-year testing pattern shows no extended off-road gaps, which avoids the concerns that come with long lay-ups, but the relatively low mileage also means braking components, tyres, and underbody components have covered fewer thermal and load cycles than the calendar age might suggest. Light use over many years tends to surface corrosion on unprotected underbody metal and ageing rubber components such as bushes, gaiters, and dust covers, which is broadly consistent with the pattern of deterioration seen in the front suspension and steering area of this car. For a prospective buyer, the priority on inspection is the front suspension and steering geometry, given the documented history. The rear suspension arm bushes flagged on both sides in 2024 should be physically checked by rocking the front wheels laterally to detect free play, and the track rod ends should be examined for perished or split gaiters, as the pattern shows these deteriorate quickly once first damage is recorded. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over bumps and during full-lock manoeuvres, and feel for vagueness, wandering, or tramlining in the steering, which would indicate that the previously advisory wear has progressed to a point requiring replacement. Also pay attention to uneven front tyre wear, as this is often the first externally visible symptom of worn suspension linkages. The braking record is comparatively positive, with only one year (2022) producing advisories for rear brake adjustment or grabbing and minor rear tyre cracking, both of which were not repeated in subsequent tests. Front tyres were worn close to the legal limit on both inner and outer edges in 2020, suggesting a possible tracking or geometry issue that has not reappeared in the record since, though it would be prudent to verify tyre wear patterns and check current tracking on inspection. The 2020 headlamp aim failure is a minor one-off and not a structural concern, but on a pre-purchase walkaround confirm that both headlamps project to the correct height on a level surface. Given the front-end component wear pattern that has emerged over the last three test cycles, any prospective purchase should be accompanied by a thorough inspection of the front suspension and steering assembly by a technician familiar with this generation of SEAT Ibiza, as the advisories that have appeared form a clear mechanical trajectory worth quantifying in cost terms before committing.