SEAT Ibiza MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 194,950 MOT tests on the SEAT Ibiza carried out in 2023. 34% failed at the first attempt, which is noticeably above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 7 in 10 Ibizas passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1998 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2001 models did best (64% passed, +5.8 points against the average for 22-year-old cars), while 2017 models fared worst (72%, −10.0 points). Tested cars had covered 66,522 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 11.7% of tests (roughly in line with the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "pin or bush excessively worn", on 3.6% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 194,950
- First-time pass rate
- 66%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −5.2 points
- Average mileage at test
- 66,522
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Ibiza?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Ibiza MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 356 | 90% | 91% | −0.7 points | 21,786 |
| 2020 | 8,401 | 88% | 88% | −0.1 points | 23,327 |
| 2019 | 13,180 | 87% | 86% | +1.1 points | 28,762 |
| 2018 | 12,989 | 79% | 84% | −4.8 points | 37,464 |
| 2017 | 15,925 | 72% | 82% | −10.0 points | 44,146 |
| 2016 | 18,482 | 70% | 79% | −8.3 points | 52,595 |
| 2015 | 18,300 | 68% | 75% | −7.9 points | 59,364 |
| 2014 | 19,831 | 65% | 72% | −6.8 points | 67,001 |
| 2013 | 16,832 | 62% | 68% | −6.2 points | 76,679 |
| 2012 | 14,266 | 62% | 66% | −3.9 points | 82,211 |
| 2011 | 14,740 | 60% | 63% | −2.7 points | 88,667 |
| 2010 | 11,530 | 57% | 60% | −3.3 points | 94,031 |
| 2009 | 9,926 | 54% | 59% | −5.4 points | 96,166 |
| 2008 | 6,346 | 49% | 57% | −8.7 points | 99,988 |
| 2007 | 4,745 | 48% | 57% | −8.7 points | 99,402 |
| 2006 | 3,440 | 49% | 56% | −6.7 points | 100,812 |
| 2005 | 1,922 | 50% | 56% | −6.5 points | 100,032 |
| 2004 | 1,559 | 50% | 56% | −6.4 points | 94,949 |
| 2003 | 1,233 | 49% | 57% | −8.2 points | 98,816 |
| 2002 | 429 | 55% | 58% | −3.0 points | 96,046 |
| 2001 | 177 | 64% | 59% | +5.8 points | 91,518 |
| 2000 | 95 | 61% | 61% | +0.5 points | 85,687 |
| 1999 | 94 | 60% | 62% | −2.9 points | 88,054 |
| 1998 | 78 | 68% | 64% | +4.0 points | 88,770 |
Why the SEAT Ibiza fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Ibiza | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 11.7% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 11.3% | 8.9% |
| Brakes | 8.7% | 6.8% |
| Tyres | 8.1% | 6.3% |
| Visibility | 7.2% | 4.8% |
| Body and structure | 4.1% | 3.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.6% | 3.1% |
| Steering | 2.9% | 1.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.9% | 1.0% |
| Road Wheels | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1pin or bush excessively worn3.6%
- 2tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.5%
- 3not working3.4%
- 4not working2.6%
- 5fractured or broken2.6%
- 6provides insufficient washer liquid2.5%
- 7ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.3%
- 8has a serious fluid leak2.2%
- 9projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.2%
- 10efficiency below requirements2.1%
Common Ibiza MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Ibiza, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 17.8% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 10.4% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 9.6% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 8.4% |
| has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 8.3% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 5.9% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.9% |
| has a major leak of exhaust gases | Body and structure | 3.8% |
| Play in steering rack inner joint(s) | Non-component advisories | 3.6% |
| excessively binding | Brakes | 3.0% |
Tips to help your Ibiza pass
Based on where Ibizas most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 11.7% of Ibiza tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 8.7% of Ibiza tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the Ibiza ULEZ compliant? See the SEAT Ibiza ULEZ check, or view all SEAT models.
Other SEAT models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 194,950 first MOT tests of the SEAT Ibiza carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 194,950 first MOT tests of the SEAT Ibiza.
What is the SEAT Ibiza MOT failure rate?
In our data, 34% of 194,950 first MOT attempts on the SEAT Ibiza ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a SEAT Ibiza fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (11.7% of tests), suspension (11.3% of tests), brakes (8.7% of tests).
Which Ibiza year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2001 cars performed best: 64% passed first time, +5.8 points against the average for 22-year-old cars. The weakest was 2017, at 72% (−10.0 points).
How many miles had a typical SEAT Ibiza covered at its MOT?
The average was 66,522 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 21,786 miles and 1998 cars 88,770.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the SEAT Ibiza?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 17.8% of tests, in the tyres area. 8.1% of Ibizas failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Ibiza's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 194,950 Ibizas in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 48% to 90% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
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