2018 SEAT Ibiza 1.0L Petrol · SW67 FXO

The 2018 SEAT Ibiza currently holds a valid MOT issued on 16 January 2026 at 89,054 miles, but the maintenance trend is mixed and warrants careful scrutiny. On that exact date, the car failed on a fractured nearside front coil spring, which is a serious structural failure affecting ride height and braking stability. The same test also flagged worn and scored rear brake discs on both sides, indicating the braking system has been operating with compromised friction surfaces. A retest later that day passed, suggesting the spring was replaced and the discs addressed, yet the pattern reveals a vehicle that has suffered sudden component failures rather than benefiting from steady preventative upkeep. The 2025 test passed despite advisories on worn front lower arm rear bushes, and the 2024 test noted an offside rear service brake binding alongside corroded front brake discs and a deteriorating track rod end dust cover. These recurring brake and suspension items point to a car that has been repaired reactively rather than maintained proactively. The mileage progression is broadly consistent with typical use for an eight-year-old vehicle. Between the January 2024 test at 72,192 miles and January 2025 at 80,908 miles, the car covered 8,716 miles in twelve months. The following year, from January 2025 to January 2026, it added 8,146 miles. Both intervals sit close to the 11,000-mile annual average implied by the total, indicating regular daily use rather than long periods of standing. No anomalous gaps or sudden spikes appear in the record, so odometer rollback seems unlikely. A buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of the front suspension, particularly the replacement coil spring and its offside counterpart, checking for uneven ride height or fresh corrosion around the spring seats. The front lower arm rear bushes were flagged as slightly worn in January 2025 and may have deteriorated further since, so any clunking or vague steering should be investigated. Braking components demand close attention. The rear discs were scored and worn at the most recent test, and the 2024 record noted binding on the offside rear caliper alongside corroded front discs. A binding caliper can cause uneven pad wear, overheating, and premature disc replacement, so the rear caliper slide pins and pistons should be checked for free movement. The track rod end dust cover was cracking in 2024, meaning water and grit may have entered the joint, potentially causing play in the steering. Finally, the 2025 failure for an airbag warning lamp suggests an intermittent fault in the supplementary restraint system that may have been cleared without proper diagnosis, so the SRS lamp should be verified during a live test drive.