SEAT Ibiza Reliability: MOT Pass Rate by Year & Engine

Verdict

The SEAT Ibiza passes its MOT first time on 66.7% of tests, 5.1 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (71.7%). That puts it ahead of 21% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2019 Ibiza does best (beats 41% of cars) and the 2017 worst (beats 5%).

Of its engines, the 1.9 Diesel does best (beats 40%) and the 1.0 Petrol worst (beats 15%).

Watch these weak spots

Brakes1.3×as often as a typical car

Tyres1.3×as often as a typical car

Windscreen washers2.0×as often as a typical car

Suspension arm bushes2.7×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

SEAT IbizaTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

Beats 34%

Beats 38%

Beats 29%

Beats 28%

Beats 26%

Beats 25%

Beats 27%

Beats 18%

Beats 19%

Beats 32%

Beats 40%

Beats 38%

Beats 34%

Beats 19%

Beats 14%

Beats 9%

Beats 8%

Beats 5%

Beats 10%

Beats 41%

Beats 38%

Beats 37%

Beats 34%

Beats 30%

Engines

All years, 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.

Engine	Years	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.4 Petrol	2000–2017	630,251	62.5%	Beats 24%	D
1.2 Petrol	2002–2017	463,382	66.1%	Beats 16%	E
1.0 Petrol	2015–2023	316,930	80.6%	Beats 15%	E
1.6 Diesel	2009–2019	66,819	61.5%	Beats 31%	D
1.2 Diesel	2010–2015	48,237	61.6%	Beats 26%	D
1.9 Diesel	2003–2012	38,014	52.3%	Beats 40%	C
1.4 Diesel	2005–2016	26,884	55.0%	Beats 26%	D
1.6 Petrol	2008–2010	17,502	58.8%	Beats 40%	D
2.0 Diesel	2010–2013	7,831	64.3%	Beats 50%	C
1.8 Petrol	2006–2016	4,680	73.7%	Beats 59%	C
1.5 Petrol	2018–2018	3,084	80.5%	Beats 22%	D

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical

Brakes: 8.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics

12.2% vs 11.1%

Suspension

10.7% vs 8.5%

Brakes

8.5% vs 6.4%

Tyres

8.2% vs 6.5%

Visibility

7.1% vs 4.7%

Body & structure

4.1% vs 2.9%

Emissions & leaks

3.6% vs 2.7%

Steering

2.5% vs 1.7%

Seat belts & airbags

0.9% vs 0.8%

Wheels

0.4% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Windscreen washers 2.0× typical
Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
Suspension arm bushes 2.7× typical
Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
Headlight aim 1.5× typical
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
Shock absorbers 2.2× typical
Push down hard on each corner: it should rebound once and settle. Look for oily dampers.
Handbrake performance 2.0× typical
Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
Brake performance 2.0× typical
On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

SEAT IbizaTypical car

Most common MOT failures

Item	This car	Typical	vs typical
Headlight aim	4.5%	3.0%	1.5×
Tyre damage & cracking	4.4%	3.5%	1.2×
Windscreen washers	4.1%	2.1%	2.0×
Tyre tread depth	3.6%	2.6%	1.4×
Suspension arm bushes	2.8%	1.1%	2.7×
Windscreen wipers	2.6%	2.3%	1.2×
Headlight bulbs & units	2.5%	2.0%	1.3×
Coil springs	2.3%	2.5%	0.9×
Handbrake performance	2.2%	1.1%	2.0×
Shock absorbers	2.2%	1.0%	2.2×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defect	per 1,000
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	44.7
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn	41.1
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen	40.6
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements	35.7
A tyre seriously damaged	26.3
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen	26.0
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc	23.2
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened	22.9

Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. 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.

2023 SEAT Ibiza1 engine87.4% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	3,723	87.4%	Beats 30%	D

2022 SEAT Ibiza1 engine87.6% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	9,558	87.6%	Beats 34%	D

2021 SEAT Ibiza1 engine86.7% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	24,536	86.7%	Beats 37%	D

2020 SEAT Ibiza1 engine85.8% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	31,619	85.8%	Beats 38%	D

2019 SEAT Ibiza2 engines84.8% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	62,512	84.9%	Beats 41%	C
1.6 Diesel	1,250	81.1%	Beats 34%	D

2018 SEAT Ibiza2 engines79.3% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	72,581	79.3%	Beats 10%	E
1.5 Petrol	3,084	80.5%	Beats 22%	D

2017 SEAT Ibiza3 engines75.9% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	57,263	76.8%	Beats 6%	E
1.2 Petrol	47,239	75.1%	Beats 5%	E
1.4 Petrol	1,917	70.4%	Beats 1%	E

2016 SEAT Ibiza5 engines73.8% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.2 Petrol	81,290	73.6%	Beats 8%	E
1.0 Petrol	50,464	74.0%	Beats 6%	E
1.4 Petrol	5,578	74.5%	Beats 11%	E
1.4 Diesel	3,638	71.0%	Beats 9%	E
1.8 Petrol	3,212	79.2%	Beats 44%	C

2015 SEAT Ibiza5 engines71.7% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.4 Petrol	76,071	72.2%	Beats 10%	E
1.2 Petrol	74,875	71.4%	Beats 8%	E
1.0 Petrol	4,674	73.7%	Beats 11%	E
1.6 Diesel	2,419	66.4%	Beats 6%	E
1.2 Diesel	2,293	66.1%	Beats 5%	E

2014 SEAT Ibiza4 engines68.8% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.4 Petrol	104,814	69.2%	Beats 15%	E
1.2 Petrol	59,370	68.5%	Beats 12%	E
1.6 Diesel	5,134	65.3%	Beats 15%	E
1.2 Diesel	4,561	66.7%	Beats 17%	E

2013 SEAT Ibiza5 engines65.5% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.4 Petrol	79,574	66.4%	Beats 20%	E
1.2 Petrol	42,047	65.6%	Beats 19%	E
1.6 Diesel	16,165	62.2%	Beats 19%	E
1.2 Diesel	8,591	62.6%	Beats 18%	E
2.0 Diesel	2,806	63.5%	Beats 26%	D

2012 SEAT Ibiza6 engines65.1% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.4 Petrol	61,153	66.2%	Beats 36%	D
1.2 Petrol	35,649	65.4%	Beats 31%	D
1.2 Diesel	14,137	61.9%	Beats 30%	D
1.6 Diesel	11,225	62.3%	Beats 32%	D
2.0 Diesel	1,605	66.2%	Beats 53%	C
1.9 Diesel	1,216	62.0%	Beats 35%	D

2011 SEAT Ibiza6 engines62.7% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.4 Petrol	78,248	62.7%	Beats 35%	D
1.2 Petrol	20,604	67.0%	Beats 51%	C
1.2 Diesel	15,247	59.5%	Beats 33%	D
1.6 Diesel	12,796	59.8%	Beats 35%	D
1.9 Diesel	1,601	64.2%	Beats 56%	C
2.0 Diesel	1,357	64.0%	Beats 59%	C

2010 SEAT Ibiza8 engines59.8% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.4 Petrol	54,667	59.9%	Beats 37%	D
1.6 Diesel	14,693	58.3%	Beats 43%	C
1.2 Petrol	14,112	60.8%	Beats 36%	D
1.4 Diesel	7,283	56.7%	Beats 36%	D
1.6 Petrol	5,502	63.9%	Beats 52%	C
1.2 Diesel	3,408	56.5%	Beats 30%	D
1.9 Diesel	3,145	61.2%	Beats 57%	C
2.0 Diesel	2,063	63.9%	Beats 67%	B

2009 SEAT Ibiza6 engines55.7% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.4 Petrol	56,986	55.4%	Beats 31%	D
1.2 Petrol	11,179	56.7%	Beats 31%	D
1.6 Petrol	9,146	57.8%	Beats 38%	D
1.4 Diesel	6,558	53.2%	Beats 29%	D
1.9 Diesel	3,305	53.5%	Beats 34%	D
1.6 Diesel	3,137	58.2%	Beats 50%	C

2008 SEAT Ibiza5 engines50.1% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.4 Petrol	31,820	50.2%	Beats 19%	E
1.2 Petrol	15,890	49.8%	Beats 16%	E
1.9 Diesel	6,508	49.6%	Beats 29%	D
1.4 Diesel	5,832	49.3%	Beats 22%	D
1.6 Petrol	2,854	52.1%	Beats 27%	D

2007 SEAT Ibiza4 engines48.2% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.4 Petrol	25,881	48.4%	Beats 18%	E
1.2 Petrol	17,077	46.6%	Beats 12%	E
1.9 Diesel	6,063	51.6%	Beats 39%	D
1.4 Diesel	2,346	48.8%	Beats 25%	D

2006 SEAT Ibiza4 engines49.6% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.4 Petrol	25,709	48.9%	Beats 23%	D
1.2 Petrol	6,733	48.9%	Beats 19%	E
1.9 Diesel	6,660	50.5%	Beats 41%	C
1.8 Petrol	1,468	61.6%	Beats 70%	B

2005 SEAT Ibiza4 engines47.7% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.4 Petrol	10,411	46.9%	Beats 23%	D
1.2 Petrol	10,193	47.9%	Beats 20%	D
1.9 Diesel	3,955	49.8%	Beats 43%	C
1.4 Diesel	1,227	46.2%	Beats 30%	D

2004 SEAT Ibiza3 engines47.8% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.2 Petrol	12,473	48.0%	Beats 25%	D
1.4 Petrol	5,530	46.7%	Beats 21%	D
1.9 Diesel	2,810	49.1%	Beats 44%	C

2003 SEAT Ibiza3 engines47.4% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.2 Petrol	10,955	48.0%	Beats 27%	D
1.4 Petrol	5,302	45.7%	Beats 24%	D
1.9 Diesel	2,751	48.3%	Beats 44%	C

2002 SEAT Ibiza2 engines48.6% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.2 Petrol	3,696	47.1%	Beats 24%	D
1.4 Petrol	2,632	50.9%	Beats 37%	D

2001 SEAT Ibiza1 engine52.3% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.4 Petrol	2,503	52.3%	Beats 38%	D

2000 SEAT Ibiza1 engine53.2% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.4 Petrol	1,455	53.2%	Beats 34%	D

FAQ

What is the SEAT Ibiza MOT pass rate?

66.7% of MOT tests on the SEAT Ibiza were passed first time, based on 1,623,614 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2000–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 71.7% of the time.

Is the SEAT Ibiza reliable?

On MOT results it rates D (below average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 21% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which SEAT Ibiza year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2019 Ibiza does best for its age and mileage: it beats 41% of cars on UK roads. The 2017 does worst: it beats 5%.

Which SEAT Ibiza engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.9 Diesel does best: it beats 40% of cars on UK roads. The 1.0 Petrol does worst: it beats 15%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the SEAT Ibiza?

The most common failure items are headlight aim, tyre damage & cracking, windscreen washers. Compared with similar cars, windscreen washers comes up 2.0× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.

SEAT Ibiza reliability

Verdict

Watch these weak spots

MOT pass rate by age

Best and worst years

Engines

Where it fails

Every MOT area

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Pass rate by mileage

Most common MOT failures

Specific defects found

Every year and engine

FAQ