Small car · 1996–2021 cars

SEAT Ibiza reliability

The SEAT Ibiza fails 33.6% of first MOT tests, 21% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 638,523 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Below averageReliability score 31/100#39 of 63 small cars

Checking a SEAT Ibiza before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 33.6%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 21% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 638,523; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 7,900; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The SEAT Ibiza has a first-time MOT fail rate of 33.6%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 21% more MOT fails. Its weakest area is steering, with 71% more fails there than comparable cars. Buyers should note that 2017 cars are weakest at 51% more fails, while 2019 is the best year at 4% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage.

A higher fail rate doesn't mean you should walk away. It means you should check the car properly. Ask for the full MOT history, test the steering on a drive, then check for the most common MOT failures: suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn, tyre tread below 1.6mm, windscreen washer fluid insufficient, and coil spring fractured or broken.

MOT fail rate by age

How the SEAT Ibiza ages

Each point is the share of SEAT Ibizas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

SEAT IbizaAll cars

SEAT Ibiza first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	SEAT Ibiza	All cars
3	12%	12.3%
4	15.8%	14.1%
5	23.2%	16.4%
6	26.9%	19.1%
7	29.9%	22.1%
8	33.2%	25.5%
9	35.8%	28.8%
10	37.3%	31.8%
11	39.2%	34.6%
12	41.3%	37.3%
13	43.9%	39.5%
14	47%	41.1%
15	49.9%	42.3%
16	50.6%	42.9%
17	51%	43.4%
18	50.5%	43.5%
19	48.5%	43.4%
20	50.3%	42.8%
21	46.8%	41.4%
22	39.8%	40.6%
23	39%	38.9%
24	36.9%	37.1%
25	37.5%	35.8%

By year

The best and worst SEAT Ibiza years

2019 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

SEAT Ibiza MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 Ibiza	4,406	12.1%	7% more fails	24,922
2020 Ibiza	15,677	12.8%	3% more fails	28,040
2019 Ibiza	33,340	12.7%	4% fewer fails	30,588
2018 Ibiza	45,553	19.3%	29% more fails	36,382
2017 Ibiza	54,538	26.1%	51% more fails	43,195
2016 Ibiza	63,332	28.8%	42% more fails	51,471
2015 Ibiza	61,919	32%	36% more fails	58,093
2014 Ibiza	67,066	34.5%	28% more fails	66,231
2013 Ibiza	56,870	37.1%	21% more fails	75,569
2012 Ibiza	47,776	37.2%	11% more fails	81,017
2011 Ibiza	49,524	39.5%	9% more fails	87,360
2010 Ibiza	38,569	42%	8% more fails	93,321
2009 Ibiza	32,652	46%	13% more fails	95,632
2008 Ibiza	21,099	50.4%	20% more fails	98,952
2007 Ibiza	15,923	52%	22% more fails	98,277
2006 Ibiza	11,686	49.8%	16% more fails	99,628
2005 Ibiza	6,321	50.2%	17% more fails	98,250
2004 Ibiza	5,143	49.2%	16% more fails	93,384
2003 Ibiza	4,005	51.4%	22% more fails	96,252
2002 Ibiza	1,378	46.3%	13% more fails	90,240
2001	622	39.9%	0% fewer fails	90,257
2000	309	42.7%	13% more fails	79,760
1999	470	38.5%	7% more fails	79,615
1998	270	32.2%	8% fewer fails	79,110

Common problems

What fails most on a SEAT Ibiza

Its weak spot is steering: 71% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics12%14% above avg
Suspension11.4%33% above avg
Brakes8.8%41% above avg
Tyres8.1%28% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.7%50% above avg
Body, chassis and structure4.3%41% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.7%31% above avg
Steering3%71% above avg
Seat belts and airbags0.9%6% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.04% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.03% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 2.17% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
4
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.02% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
5
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.98% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
6
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.95% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
7
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.91% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
8
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 1.8% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a SEAT Ibiza's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit15.64%
Brake disc pitted or scored8.97%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.48%
Shock absorber light oil misting7.6%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear6.96%
Brake pads wearing thin5.02%

Before you buy

What to check on a used SEAT Ibiza

1
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
4
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
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 Ibiza covers about 7,900 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

Petrol89.3%
Diesel10.7%
LPG0%
Electric0%

Most common colours

White, Red, Grey, Black, Blue

Average engine size: 1.3 litres.

Compare

How the SEAT Ibiza compares with its rivals

SEAT Ibiza against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Audi A1	21.3%	8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Skoda Fabia	29.5%	4% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Nissan Note	34.9%	10% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Nissan Micra	36.3%	20% more MOT fails than the average car its age
SEAT Ibiza	33.6%	21% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot 208	27.5%	27% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Citroën C3	35.6%	28% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all SEAT models.

Questions

SEAT Ibiza questions, answered

Is the SEAT Ibiza reliable?

On MOT results, the SEAT Ibiza is below average: it fails 33.6% of first MOT tests, 21% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 39 of 63 small car models in our index.

What fails most on a SEAT Ibiza MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the SEAT Ibiza are suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.04% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.03% of tests), windscreen washer fluid insufficient (2.17% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 12% of its tests.

Which SEAT Ibiza year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2019 cars do best (4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (51% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a SEAT Ibiza do a year?

A typical SEAT Ibiza covers about 7,900 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 Ibiza 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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