2019 SEAT Arona 1.6L Diesel · WM68 WRR

With annual mileage running at roughly 13,050 miles against a 2019 registration, this Arona sits in a high-use bracket for its age, and the MOT history reflects that level of wear reasonably faithfully. The 2026 test demonstrates the defining mechanical story: a single advisory for a nail in the offside rear tyre and, on the same date, a separate failure for both front headlamps producing an obviously incorrect projected beam image, with the vehicle passing immediately afterwards. The earlier record is mixed rather than uniformly clean, with a 2024 advisory for both rear tyres perishing on the edge of the tread sitting alongside two passes with no defects recorded in 2023 and 2025. Taken together, the pattern is not one of chronic structural or running-gear failure, but it does show that consumable items, particularly tyres and exterior lighting, have been the focus of attention within the last twelve months and would benefit from close inspection. The mileage progression tells the story of a vehicle that has been in regular, year-round use rather than one left standing for extended periods, which carries specific mechanical implications. At this annual rate, components such as the front brake pads and discs, the clutch and gearbox synchros, the coil springs and suspension bushes, and the engine and gearbox mounts will have covered considerably more stress cycles than the headline age suggests. Tyres in particular should be expected to need replacement at shorter intervals than on a lower-mileage car, and the advisories on both rear tyres in 2024 and the offside rear in 2026 are consistent with that pattern. There are no recorded multi-year gaps between tests, so concerns about seized brakes, perished fuel lines, or a heavily discharged 12V battery from long storage do not arise; the vehicle appears to have been used continuously, and wear is therefore the dominant consideration. On a physical inspection, attention should be directed to the specific items that have already drawn tester attention. The headlamp issue from the most recent failure, where the projected beam image was obviously incorrect on both front lamps, is worth rechecking in person by parking the car on level ground a few metres from a wall or garage door at night; the cut-off line should be sharp, level, and sit at or just below a horizontal reference, with no scatter, dip, or asymmetry between sides, as both sides failed together and may have had a common cause such as levelling motor fault, sagging strut, or LED module degradation. The tyres should be examined for tread depth across the full width (including inner and outer shoulders, given the 2024 perishing advisory), sidewall cracking, and any residual repair work around the recent nail, with a spare or repair kit checked for presence and condition. The remaining priority is a thorough check of the running gear, given the mileage profile and the absence of any recorded advisories on brakes or suspension. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which would point to worn anti-roll bar bushes, drop links, or strut top mounts; feel for any vibration through the steering wheel that could indicate warped front discs; and test the brakes firmly from speed to check for pulling, judder, or a spongy pedal that might suggest corroded caliper slides or a binding calliper. Under the bonnet, look for any signs of oil misting or residue around the cam cover and sump, as higher-mileage SEATs of this era can develop minor oil seepage, and check that the coolant and washer fluid reservoirs are clean and at correct levels. Finally, confirm that all exterior lighting operates correctly and that the headlamp levelling system, whether manual or automatic, responds to inputs without hesitation, since this is the area that has most recently caused a test failure.