Small SUV · 2017–2021 cars
SEAT Arona reliability
The SEAT Arona fails 14.2% of first MOT tests, 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 96,933 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a SEAT Arona before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 14.2%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 9% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 96,933
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,500
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the SEAT Arona ages
Each point is the share of SEAT Aronas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | SEAT Arona | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 13.6% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 19.7% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 23.7% | 19.1% |
By year
The best and worst SEAT Arona years
2020 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Arona | 3,571 | 11.6% | 5% more fails | 22,394 |
| 2020 Arona | 16,483 | 11.1% | 4% fewer fails | 24,548 |
| 2019 Arona | 36,380 | 12.3% | 2% fewer fails | 28,009 |
| 2018 Arona | 38,614 | 17% | 22% more fails | 32,304 |
| 2017 Arona | 1,885 | 23.6% | 52% more fails | 37,051 |
Common problems
What fails most on a SEAT Arona
Its weak spot is steering: 1032% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres4.8%8% above avg
- Brakes4%83% above avg
- Steering2.5%1032% above avg
- Lights and electrics2%31% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.7%45% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.7%3% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.6%121% above avg
- Suspension0.5%53% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.2%60% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.77% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Track rod end dust cover damaged 1.7% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the ball joint, which speeds up wear and may lead to a costly replacement.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.12% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.99% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.9% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 6
Tyre tear from structural failure 0.67% of tests
A tear in the tyre's structure means it can fail suddenly, so it must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 7
Brake effort excessively fluctuating 0.63% of tests
Uneven braking through each wheel turn can make stopping unpredictable, so the brakes need inspecting and repair.
- 8
Brake discs significantly worn 0.63% of tests
Heavily worn discs reduce braking performance and wear pads faster, so a replacement will soon be needed.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a SEAT Arona's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking12.27%
- Brake disc pitted or scored9.38%
- Brake pads wearing thin8.47%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit7.75%
- Child seat limits belt inspection2.88%
- Brake discs showing some wear1.57%
Before you buy
What to check on a used SEAT Arona
- 1
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Track rod end dust cover damaged
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the ball joint, which speeds up wear and may lead to a costly replacement.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical SEAT Arona covers about 7,500 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol83.9%
- Diesel16.1%
Most common colours
Red, White, Blue, Black, Silver
Average engine size: 1.1 litres.
Compare
How the SEAT Arona compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Honda HR-V | 13.1% | 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jaguar E-Pace | 11.3% | 21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Niro | 13% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi ASX | 22.1% | 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Arona | 14.2% | 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jeep Renegade | 22.2% | 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat 500X | 21.4% | 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small suv ranked in the small suv reliability index, or all SEAT models.
Questions
SEAT Arona questions, answered
Is the SEAT Arona reliable?
On MOT results, the SEAT Arona is below average: it fails 14.2% of first MOT tests, 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 27 of 40 small suv models in our index.
What fails most on a SEAT Arona MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the SEAT Arona are brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.77% of tests), track rod end dust cover damaged (1.7% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.12% of tests). By area, tyres fails 4.8% of its tests.
Which SEAT Arona year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (52% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a SEAT Arona do a year?
A typical SEAT Arona covers about 7,500 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a SEAT Arona before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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