2012 SEAT Ibiza 1.2L Petrol · TY62 TYY

The most recent MOT, carried out on 22 October 2025, was passed but recorded an advisory that the off‑side front suspension arm pin or bush is worn. Over the last five years the record shows a mixture of major failures in 2022, 2024 and early 2025, followed by a series of passes with only advisory items in the latter half of 2025. This indicates that the vehicle’s maintenance trajectory has shifted from a period of significant mechanical neglect to a more stable, albeit still imperfect, state. The recurrence of front‑suspension wear and shock‑absorber leakage suggests that the underlying issues have not been fully rectified, but the absence of new major failures in the latest test is a positive sign. At 116,884 miles the Ibiza averages roughly 8,300 miles per year, which is typical for a car of its age. The mileage pattern does not reveal any abrupt spikes that would point to intensive short‑term use, nor does it suggest prolonged periods of inactivity that might have led to severe corrosion or battery decay. However, the moderate annual usage combined with the vehicle’s fourteen‑year age means that many wear‑related components are approaching the end of their service lives and should be inspected with an eye to calendar‑based degradation as well as mileage‑driven wear. A prospective buyer should give particular attention to the front suspension assembly. Inspect the off‑side and near‑side arm pins and bushings for excessive play, cracking or oil staining, and verify that the coil spring on the off‑side is intact, as a fractured spring was recorded as a major defect in 2022. The front shock absorbers must be examined for any signs of fluid leakage or misting, which can lead to reduced damping, uneven tyre wear and a mushy feel on the road. Wheel bearings on both front wheels should be spun and listened to for grinding or roughness; a rough bearing can produce a humming or growling noise that intensifies with speed and may eventually seize. During a test drive, listen for clunks when negotiating bumps, feel for any steering wobble that could indicate worn bushings or a failing EPS system, and check that the position lamp, registration plate lamp and EPS warning light operate correctly, as these were previously recorded as major faults. Given the age of the car, the tyres should be examined for side‑wall cracking, perishing or uneven tread wear, especially since tyre condition advisories appeared in 2025. Verify that the brake hoses, particularly the rear left hose that was deemed excessively damaged in 2024, are free of cracks and that the brake discs are not excessively corroded or scored, which could cause shudder or reduced braking efficiency. An oil leak was noted in 2024; locate its source and assess whether it is likely to become excessive. Finally, test the 12 V battery voltage and check for signs of sulphation, as a battery left idle for long periods can lose capacity, and consider a fresh coolant and brake fluid change if the service history does not show recent top‑ups, since fluids degrade over time regardless of mileage.