Verdict
SEATs pass their MOT first time on 72.5% of tests, almost exactly the 72.9% of a typical car of the same age and mileage. They beat 48% of cars on UK roads, ranking SEAT 21st of 40 makes: about average, ahead of Vauxhall and Peugeot but behind Škoda.
The Ateca does best by a wide margin, beating 88% of cars. The rarer Exeo beats 77% and the Leon, the second most-tested SEAT, 69%. The Alhambra beats 57%, and the Tarraco and Mii about half.
The Ibiza, the most-tested SEAT, is the one to check most carefully: it beats only 21% of cars and passes about 5 points below a typical car of its age and mileage. The newer Arona beats only 35% and the older Arosa (1998–2004) 38%, both below average, while the Altea (50%) and Toledo (45%) are about average.
Across all models, SEATs fail on lights and electrics less often than typical (about 0.9 times). Tyres, body and structure, emissions and leaks and seat belts and airbags fail slightly more often, at 1.1 to 1.2 times the typical rate; tyres are the biggest of these, on about 1 in 14 tests.
Where it fails
Every SEAT compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
SEAT models
Models with 20,000+ MOT tests, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate. Light vans are included and tend to grade lower, partly from hard commercial use.
| Model first registered | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ibiza 2000–2023 | 66.7% | Beats 21% | D |
| Leon 2001–2022 | 75.3% | Beats 69% | B |
| Ateca 2016–2023 | 88.2% | Beats 88% | A |
| Arona 2017–2023 | 85.2% | Beats 35% | D |
| Alhambra 2001–2020 | 71.7% | Beats 57% | C |
| Altea 2004–2015 | 59.7% | Beats 50% | C |
| Mii 2012–2021 | 79.1% | Beats 48% | C |
| Toledo 2003–2018 | 69.9% | Beats 45% | C |
| Exeo 2009–2013 | 68.3% | Beats 77% | B |
| Tarraco 2019–2021 | 84.5% | Beats 51% | C |
| Arosa 1998–2004 | 55.0% | Beats 38% | D |
FAQ
What is the SEAT MOT pass rate?
72.5% of SEAT MOT tests were passed first time, from 4.2 million tests. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 72.9%, so SEAT is about average.
Is SEAT reliable?
On MOT results SEAT is about average: it beats 48% of cars on UK roads and ranks 21st of 40 makes. The Ateca and Leon do clearly better than average; the Ibiza does clearly worse. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which SEAT model is most reliable?
The Ateca, which beats 88% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account. The Leon beats about seven in ten.
Is the SEAT Ibiza reliable?
It is the weakest common SEAT on MOT results, beating only 21% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account, and passing about 5 points below a typical car of the same age and mileage.
What do SEATs fail the MOT on?
Lights and electrics most often, on about 1 in 11 tests, less often than typical, then suspension and tyres. Tyres, body and structure and emissions and leaks fail slightly more often than on a typical car.