SEAT Tarraco MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 6,533 MOT tests on the SEAT Tarraco carried out in 2023. 14% failed at the first attempt, which is well below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 9 in 10 Tarracos passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2019 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2019 models did best (85% passed, −0.7 points against the average for 4-year-old cars), while 2021 models fared worst (87%, −4.2 points). Tested cars had covered 32,719 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was tyres, found on 5.1% of tests (roughly in line with the 6.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "warning lamp indicates a fault", on 3.1% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 6,533
- First-time pass rate
- 86%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +14.1 points
- Average mileage at test
- 32,719
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Tarraco?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Tarraco 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 | 60 | 87% | 91% | −4.2 points | 33,010 |
| 2020 | 2,179 | 86% | 88% | −1.9 points | 27,872 |
| 2019 | 4,269 | 85% | 86% | −0.7 points | 35,268 |
Why the SEAT Tarraco fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Tarraco | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 5.1% | 6.3% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 3.5% | 1.0% |
| Brakes | 2.9% | 6.8% |
| Lights and electrics | 2.4% | 11.3% |
| Visibility | 1.6% | 4.8% |
| Suspension | 0.8% | 8.9% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.5% | 3.1% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.3% | 0.4% |
| Body and structure | 0.2% | 3.5% |
| Road Wheels | 0.1% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1warning lamp indicates a fault3.1%
- 2tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
- 3less than 1.5 mm thick1.7%
- 4has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.5%
- 5does not clear the windscreen effectively0.9%
- 6too high0.9%
- 7worn down to wear indicator0.8%
- 8not working0.6%
- 9has ply or cords exposed0.6%
- 10pin or bush excessively worn0.6%
Common Tarraco MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Tarraco, 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 | 14.0% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 11.4% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 9.0% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 6.3% |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | Non-component advisories | 5.5% |
| Nail in tyre | Non-component advisories | 4.2% |
| has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 2.8% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 2.7% |
| significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 2.4% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 1.6% |
Tips to help your Tarraco pass
Based on where Tarracos most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Seatbelts and airbags · 3.5% of Tarraco tests
Check every seatbelt and the airbag light
Pull each belt out fully, check it latches and retracts, and make sure the airbag warning light goes out shortly after starting the car.
Brakes · 2.9% of Tarraco 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.
Lights and electrics · 2.4% of Tarraco 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.
Compare with other models
Is the Tarraco ULEZ compliant? See the SEAT Tarraco ULEZ check, or view all SEAT models.
Other SEAT models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 6,533 first MOT tests of the SEAT Tarraco 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 6,533 first MOT tests of the SEAT Tarraco.
What is the SEAT Tarraco MOT failure rate?
In our data, 14% of 6,533 first MOT attempts on the SEAT Tarraco ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a SEAT Tarraco fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were tyres (5.1% of tests), seatbelts and airbags (3.5% of tests), brakes (2.9% of tests).
Which Tarraco year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2019 cars performed best: 85% passed first time, −0.7 points against the average for 4-year-old cars. The weakest was 2021, at 87% (−4.2 points).
How many miles had a typical SEAT Tarraco covered at its MOT?
The average was 32,719 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 33,010 miles and 2019 cars 35,268.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the SEAT Tarraco?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 14.0% of tests, in the tyres area. 5.1% of Tarracos failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Tarraco's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 6,533 Tarracos in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 85% to 87% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readDashboard warning lights and the MOT: which ones mean a fail?An engine, ABS or airbag light that stays on is a major defect at the MOT, even if the car drives perfectly. Which lights testers check, and what to do first.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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