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SEAT Tarraco reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 30,608 MOT tests of cars first registered 2019–2021.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
84.5%pass first time
+0.1 ptsvs typical car
Beats 51%of cars
30,608MOT tests

Verdict

The SEAT Tarraco passes its MOT first time on 84.5% of tests, about the same as a typical car of the same age and mileage (84.4%). That puts it ahead of 51% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

Of its engines, the 2.0 Diesel does best (beats 61%) and the 1.5 Petrol worst (beats 38%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, visibility.

Watch these weak spots

Seat belts & airbags7.5×as often as a typical car
Airbag warning light15.7×as often as a typical car
Tyre tread depth1.4×as often as a typical car
Suspension arm bushes4.5×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.

75%80%85%90%3456786%86%84%83%82%
SEAT TarracoTypical 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.

2019
Beats 52%
2020
Beats 45%
2021
Beats 60%

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.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2019–202115,89184.8%Beats 61%B
1.5 Petrol2019–202112,83283.9%Beats 38%D
2.0 Petrol2019–20191,88585.0%Beats 54%C

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.

Exhaust: 1.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 1.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 1.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 2.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 3.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 5.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 3.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.9% 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.Lights: 2.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 3.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+1.4 ptsTyres: 5.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.3 ptsBrakes: 3.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.9% 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.Brakes−0.3 ptsSuspension: 1.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 1.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+0.1 ptsExhaust: 1.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust0.0 ptsSuspension: 1.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 1.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 3.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.9% 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.Tyres: 5.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 2.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 3.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 1.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 2.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 3.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+1.4 ptsTyres: 5.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.3 ptsBrakes: 3.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 2.9% 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.Brakes−0.3 ptsSuspension: 1.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 1.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+0.1 ptsExhaust: 1.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust0.0 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 5.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

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

Tyres
5.9% vs 5.6%
Brakes
3.2% vs 2.9%
Seat belts & airbags
2.8% vs 0.4%
Lights & electrics
2.4% vs 3.8%
Visibility
1.6% vs 3.2%
Suspension
1.4% vs 1.5%
Emissions & leaks
1.0% vs 1.0%
Body & structure
0.3% vs 0.5%
Wheels
0.2% vs 0.2%
Steering
0.1% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Tyre tread depth 1.4× typical
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Suspension arm bushes 4.5× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Sidelights 1.7× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

75%80%85%90%95%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k90%87%84%83%83%81%82%
SEAT TarracoTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking3.3%3.6%0.9×
Tyre tread depth2.7%1.9%1.4×
Brake pads2.6%1.9%1.4×
Airbag warning light2.6%0.2%15.7×
Headlight aim1.3%1.6%0.8×
Suspension arm bushes0.9%0.2%4.5×
Windscreen wipers0.9%2.0%0.5×
Engine warning light0.8%0.7%1.2×
Windscreen washers0.6%1.2%0.5×
Sidelights0.5%0.3%1.7×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements27.2
An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction25.7
A tyre seriously damaged22.8
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm19.2
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements13.3
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn9.8
A tyre cords visible or damaged9.4
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen9.3
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.

2021 SEAT Tarraco2 engines86.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol2,00085.9%Beats 44%C
2.0 Diesel1,02588.4%Beats 83%A
2020 SEAT Tarraco2 engines84.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel3,88186.2%Beats 63%B
1.5 Petrol3,54283.4%Beats 25%D
2019 SEAT Tarraco3 engines84.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel10,98584.0%Beats 58%C
1.5 Petrol7,29083.7%Beats 43%C
2.0 Petrol1,88585.0%Beats 54%C

FAQ

What is the SEAT Tarraco MOT pass rate?

84.5% of MOT tests on the SEAT Tarraco were passed first time, based on 30,608 tests between 2021 and 2026 of cars first registered 2019–2021. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 84.4% of the time.

Is the SEAT Tarraco reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 51% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which SEAT Tarraco engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Diesel does best: it beats 61% of cars on UK roads. The 1.5 Petrol does worst: it beats 38%.

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

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, tyre tread depth, brake pads. Compared with similar cars, airbag warning light comes up 15.7× 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.