2016 SEAT Ibiza 1.0L Petrol · YS66 FRF

A clear pattern of front suspension and brake component wear defines this Ibiza's mechanical story. Across the eight recorded tests since 2022, the front axle has surfaced repeatedly: light shock absorber oil misting was first noted in 2023, escalating into a serious fluid leak and an excessively worn lower suspension arm rear bush on the offside by June 2024, both of which resulted in major failures. The most recent test on 7 June 2026 passed, but the advisories on that same test — worn front suspension arm pins or bushes and worn front brake discs on both sides — indicate the wear pattern has not been resolved and is likely to be progressing. Separately, a failed headlamp aim check in June 2025 and a dangerous failure in August 2022 for severely worn front brake pads and a structurally compromised offside rear tyre sit alongside the suspension story. Overall the trajectory is one of recurring, axle-specific deterioration rather than improving condition. Recorded mileage of 121,590 over a ten-year age equates to an average annual accumulation of approximately 12,159 miles, which is notably high for a supermini of this vintage and points to sustained, consistent use rather than periods of standing. There are no unusual mileage gaps or sudden step-changes between consecutive readings that would suggest clock irregularities or extended lay-ups, and the testing history is evenly distributed across recent years with annual MOTs consistently recorded. Mechanically, this level of use places above-average demand on the typical Ibiza consumables — the front brake discs and pads, the suspension bushes and coil springs, the clutch and dual-mass flywheel if fitted, and the engine oil and filter service intervals — all of which corroborate the front-end wear pattern visible in the advisories. The absence of corrosion-related advisories across the full record is a positive counterpoint, suggesting the structural shell and underbody have not suffered the typical age-related rot seen on many high-mileage examples. For a prospective buyer, the priority on any physical inspection must be the suspension and braking system. The 2026 advisories on the front arm pins or bushes warrant a thorough check for clonking or knocking from the front end, particularly over speed humps, potholes, and uneven B-roads, with attention to whether the noise differs side to side given the offside-specific failures in 2024. The front shock absorbers should be examined for fresh oil residue around the upper mount and lower seat, as the misting noted in 2023 and the serious leak in 2024 suggest the dampers may be approaching replacement again; a sustained bounce test by pressing firmly on each corner and releasing should show the car settling immediately without further oscillation. Brake pedal feel deserves close attention — any sponginess, excessive travel, or vibration under firm application would be consistent with the worn discs flagged in June 2026, and a pulsating pedal or pulling to one side under braking would indicate the discs have reached their wear limit or the calipers are binding. Given that this Ibiza has covered well above its expected mileage for the class, a thorough test drive should also include steady-state motorway running to listen for drivetrain or wheel bearing noise, and low-speed manoeuvring to feel for any slack in the steering rack or tie rod ends — components not yet flagged but typical wear items at this mileage. The brake fluid and coolant are likely due for renewal based on age and mileage alone, and any inspection should confirm fluid condition and recent service records independently of the MOT file. With the most recent test showing advisory-level wear on the same front-end components that failed seriously two years earlier, a sensible negotiation stance would account for the near-term cost of replacing the front discs and the suspension arm bushes, and possibly the front dampers, before committing to purchase.