Family SUV · 2019–2021 cars
SEAT Tarraco reliability
The SEAT Tarraco fails 14.2% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 16,108 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a SEAT Tarraco 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
- 1% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 16,108
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 9,800
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the SEAT Tarraco ages
Each point is the share of SEAT Tarracos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | SEAT Tarraco | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 13.4% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 14.5% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 16.2% | 16.4% |
By year
The best and worst SEAT Tarraco years
2020 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 593 | 10.6% | 18% fewer fails | 29,858 |
| 2020 Tarraco | 3,900 | 13.2% | 1% fewer fails | 32,980 |
| 2019 Tarraco | 11,615 | 14.7% | 2% more fails | 37,485 |
Common problems
What fails most on a SEAT Tarraco
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 691% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres5%2% above avg
- Brakes2.9%15% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags2.6%691% above avg
- Lights and electrics2.5%24% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.6%53% below avg
- Suspension1.2%1% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.9%12% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.3%32% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.3%33% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 2.01% of tests
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.88% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.38% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.15% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.7% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 6
Headlamp aim set too high 0.65% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 7
Brake pads worn to wear indicator 0.6% of tests
Pads worn to the indicator are at their limit, reducing braking and needing immediate replacement.
- 8
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.57% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a SEAT Tarraco's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit11.37%
- Brake pads wearing thin8.84%
- Brake disc pitted or scored6.82%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.8%
- Child seat limits belt inspection4.67%
- Nail in tyre, monitor2.68%
Before you buy
What to check on a used SEAT Tarraco
- 1
Airbag warning lamp shows fault
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
- 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
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.
- 4
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.
- 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 Tarraco covers about 9,800 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
- Diesel52.3%
- Petrol47.7%
Most common colours
Grey, Blue, Black, White, Green
Average engine size: 1.8 litres.
Compare
How the SEAT Tarraco compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Audi e-tron | 7.9% | 41% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Stelvio | 10.1% | 32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Daihatsu Terios | 39.8% | about average for its age |
| SEAT Tarraco | 14.2% | about average for its age |
| Renault Koleos | 26% | 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Captiva | 46.9% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SsangYong Korando | 31.8% | 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family suv ranked in the family suv reliability index, or all SEAT models.
Questions
SEAT Tarraco questions, answered
Is the SEAT Tarraco reliable?
On MOT results, the SEAT Tarraco is about average: it fails 14.2% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 41 of 59 family suv models in our index.
What fails most on a SEAT Tarraco MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the SEAT Tarraco are airbag warning lamp shows fault (2.01% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.88% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.38% of tests). By area, tyres fails 5% of its tests.
Which SEAT Tarraco year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (about average for its age) and 2019 cars do worst (about average for its age).
How many miles does a SEAT Tarraco do a year?
A typical SEAT Tarraco covers about 9,800 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 Tarraco 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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