2016 SEAT Ibiza 1.2L Petrol · WR16 MSV

A persistent pattern of uneven front and rear tyre wear, including inner-edge wear on multiple wheels, defines the mechanical story of this 2016 SEAT Ibiza. The most recent activity on 13 July 2026 culminated in a pass but only after a same-day failure for a nearside front tyre with a cut deep enough to reach the ply or cords, classified as a major defect, alongside advisories for offside front and rear tyres worn close to the legal limit with uneven inner-edge wear. Going back further, the 2025 test recorded nearside front tyre edge wear plus perishing and cracking, the 2024 test flagged nearside front edge wear, and the earliest recorded event on 9 July 2021 was a dangerous failure for a nearside rear tyre below the 1.6mm tread requirement. A single brake disc advisory in 2022 for offside front outer disc face pitting and scoring sits alongside four years of clean passes, but the tyre wear recurrence across consecutive annual tests is the dominant theme and warrants close attention on inspection. Recorded mileage of 95,789 miles over approximately ten years equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 9,579 miles, which is broadly typical for the vehicle's age and points to consistent year-round use rather than extended periods off the road. MOT tests have been conducted annually from 2021 through 2026 with no multi-year gaps in testing, so the recorded mileage can be regarded as a reasonably continuous reflection of use. Mechanically, this level of mileage on a supermini of this age is consistent with wear on suspension bushes, anti-roll bar links, shock absorbers, brake discs and pads, and clutch components, and the steady annual accumulation rather than sporadic low-mileage use means consumable wear is likely to be progressing at a normal rate rather than being masked by long periods of standing. For a prospective buyer, the tyre wear pattern recorded on the Ibiza is the priority area to investigate, as consistent inner-edge wear across both front and rear wheels can indicate incorrect wheel alignment, worn suspension bushes, failed or sagging coil springs, or top mount deterioration, any of which would not necessarily be flagged separately on an MOT but would accelerate uneven tyre wear. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking over bumps and speed humps which can suggest worn front wishbone bushes or anti-roll bar drop links, and pay particular attention to steering behaviour including pulling to one side under braking, vagueness around the straight-ahead position, or uneven self-centring which can point to geometry drift or spring sag. Inspect all four tyres for matching inner-edge wear, check that the sidewalls show no cracking or perishing as previously recorded on the nearside front, and verify that the rear nearside has been replaced given the 2021 dangerous tread depth failure. The brake system should also be examined directly, as the 2022 advisory noted offside front disc face pitting and scoring. With the vehicle now at nearly 96,000 miles, the original front discs are likely to have been replaced at least once and the rears should be checked for similar wear. On the road, feel for any vibration or pedal pulsation under braking which would suggest disc runout or uneven wear, and listen for grinding or scraping that would indicate pad material depletion. Confirm that no warning lights remain illuminated on the dashboard, particularly for the ABS or electronic stability programme systems, and verify that the brake fluid has been changed within the recommended interval, as fluid condition is not assessed at MOT but matters for safe stopping performance on a vehicle of this age and mileage.