2008 SEAT Ibiza 1.4L Petrol · RY57 VHM

The vehicle presents a concerning roadworthiness trend as the maintenance history reveals a pattern of deferred repairs on critical steering components. While the most recent test in January 2023 at 101,459 miles was a pass, it followed a failure just two days prior. The recurring nature of steering rack inner joint play, which appeared in every single recorded test mileage from 2021 through 2023, suggests that the owner only addresses faults when they reach a point of failure rather than performing preventative maintenance. At 18 years old, the recorded 101,459 miles represent a low average of approximately 5,600 miles per year. However, the data shows a significant gap in usage between January 2022 and January 2023, where the car covered over 11,500 miles in a single year. This spike in activity following long periods of standing often leads to the degradation of rubber components, as evidenced by the perishing sidewall noted in 2022 and the severely deteriorated CV boot identified in the early 2021 tests. A buyer must thoroughly inspect the front suspension and steering assembly. The tester consistently flagged play in the steering rack inner joints and anti-roll bar linkages, which can compromise steering precision and cause uneven tyre wear. The history of fluctuating service brakes in 2021 indicates potentially warped brake discs, which should be checked for thickness and surface condition. Given the previous failures regarding CV boot splits and shock absorber leaks, a physical inspection for grease leakage and perished rubber bushings is essential to ensure these components were actually replaced after the last recorded test.