Family hatchback · 1997–2019 cars
SEAT Toledo reliability
The SEAT Toledo fails 30% of first MOT tests, 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 21,998 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a SEAT Toledo before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 30%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 6% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 21,998
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 10,700
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the SEAT Toledo ages
Each point is the share of SEAT Toledos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | SEAT Toledo | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 13.2% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 17.9% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 21.2% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 23.6% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 28.4% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 31.1% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 31.7% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 33.2% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 38.5% | 34.6% |
| 15 | 51.6% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 52.4% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 50% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 47.1% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 42.9% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 43.4% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 37.2% | 41.4% |
By year
The best and worst SEAT Toledo years
2014 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 228 | 12.7% | 3% fewer fails | 30,841 |
| 2018 Toledo | 3,883 | 18.4% | 15% more fails | 37,950 |
| 2017 Toledo | 2,537 | 23.4% | 19% more fails | 55,244 |
| 2016 Toledo | 1,996 | 25.9% | 6% more fails | 98,273 |
| 2015 Toledo | 2,736 | 29.8% | 9% more fails | 103,497 |
| 2014 Toledo | 3,191 | 29.4% | 0% more fails | 93,662 |
| 2013 Toledo | 3,365 | 34.5% | 5% more fails | 108,240 |
| 2012 | 343 | 29.7% | 13% fewer fails | 98,216 |
| 2007 | 456 | 51.8% | 15% more fails | 123,299 |
| 2006 | 717 | 51.7% | 15% more fails | 121,832 |
| 2005 | 860 | 51.4% | 14% more fails | 126,685 |
| 2004 | 419 | 37% | 19% fewer fails | 135,232 |
| 2003 | 470 | 43.2% | 4% fewer fails | 129,545 |
| 2002 | 235 | 46% | 5% more fails | 126,864 |
| 2001 | 211 | 40.8% | 6% fewer fails | 126,123 |
Common problems
What fails most on a SEAT Toledo
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 51% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension11%27% above avg
- Lights and electrics10.5%8% below avg
- Tyres8%24% above avg
- Brakes7.3%6% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure5.1%51% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.2%22% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.8%16% below avg
- Steering1.6%19% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.2%9% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.09% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 2
CV joint boot split or insecure 2.55% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 3
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.22% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.2% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.01% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 6
Position lamp not working 1.82% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 7
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.71% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 8
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.68% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a SEAT Toledo's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit14.27%
- Brake disc pitted or scored11.16%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.77%
- Shock absorber light oil misting8.52%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear7.79%
- Brake pads wearing thin6.29%
Before you buy
What to check on a used SEAT Toledo
- 1
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 2
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 3
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 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 Toledo covers about 10,700 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
- Diesel52.9%
- Petrol47.1%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Grey, Black, Silver, Blue, White
Average engine size: 1.4 litres.
Compare
How the SEAT Toledo compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Audi S3 | 17.5% | 45% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Infiniti Q30 | 14.9% | 22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Bora | 41.4% | 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Toledo | 30% | 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Coupe | 48% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Cruze | 39.2% | 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat Bravo | 48.7% | 21% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all SEAT models.
Questions
SEAT Toledo questions, answered
Is the SEAT Toledo reliable?
On MOT results, the SEAT Toledo is about average: it fails 30% of first MOT tests, 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 36 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a SEAT Toledo MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the SEAT Toledo are suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.09% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (2.55% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (2.22% of tests). By area, suspension fails 11% of its tests.
Which SEAT Toledo year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2014 cars do best (about average for its age) and 2017 cars do worst (19% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a SEAT Toledo do a year?
A typical SEAT Toledo covers about 10,700 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 Toledo 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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