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SEAT Toledo reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 49,032 MOT tests of cars first registered 2003–2018.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
69.9%pass first time
−0.9 ptsvs typical car
Beats 45%of cars
49,032MOT tests

Verdict

The SEAT Toledo passes its MOT first time on 69.9% of tests, 0.9 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (70.7%). That puts it ahead of 45% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2004 Toledo does best (beats 70% of cars) and the 2018 worst (beats 25%).

Better than average on visibility, steering.

Watch these weak spots

Body & structure1.5×as often as a typical car
Suspension arm bushes2.5×as often as a typical car
Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2×as often as a typical car
Tyre damage & cracking1.4×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.

40%50%60%70%80%90%34567891011121314151684%77%72%68%65%54%50%
SEAT ToledoTypical 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.

2003
Beats 60%
2004
Beats 70%
2005
Beats 42%
2006
Beats 30%
2007
Beats 38%
2013
Beats 50%
2014
Beats 55%
2015
Beats 42%
2016
Beats 49%
2017
Beats 26%
2018
Beats 25%

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
1.6 Diesel2013–201721,87869.2%Beats 44%C
1.2 Petrol2013–201710,60977.7%Beats 59%C
1.0 Petrol2017–20188,15180.9%Beats 23%D
1.9 Diesel2003–20065,21651.9%Beats 52%C
2.0 Diesel2005–20072,14950.7%Beats 40%C
1.6 Petrol2005–20051,02947.4%Beats 30%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.

Exhaust: 3.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% 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: 10.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.6% 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: 11.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.4% 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: 8.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.8% 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: 7.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.2% 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: 11.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.4% 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: 8.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.8% 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−1.2 ptsBrakes: 7.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.2% 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−0.2 ptsSuspension: 10.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.6% 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−1.8 ptsExhaust: 3.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% 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.Exhaust−0.6 ptsSuspension: 10.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.6% 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: 7.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.2% 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: 8.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.8% 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: 11.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.4% 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: 3.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% 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: 11.0% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.4% 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: 8.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.8% 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−1.2 ptsBrakes: 7.4% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.2% 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−0.2 ptsSuspension: 10.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.6% 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−1.8 ptsExhaust: 3.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% 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.Exhaust−0.6 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Suspension: 10.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.6% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Lights & electrics
11.0% vs 12.4%
Suspension
10.4% vs 8.6%
Tyres
8.0% vs 6.8%
Brakes
7.4% vs 7.2%
Body & structure
4.8% vs 3.1%
Visibility
3.9% vs 4.9%
Emissions & leaks
3.8% vs 3.2%
Seat belts & airbags
1.3% vs 1.1%
Steering
1.3% vs 2.0%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Suspension arm bushes 2.5× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Tyre damage & cracking 1.4× typical
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Headlight aim 1.4× typical
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Brake discs 1.8× typical
    Look through the wheel spokes for scored discs or a heavy rust lip on the edge.
  • Shock absorbers 1.5× typical
    Push down hard on each corner: it should rebound once and settle. Look for oily dampers.
  • Brake performance 1.5× 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.

50%60%70%80%90%100%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k90%82%76%70%65%61%61%60%
SEAT ToledoTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking4.9%3.4%1.4×
Headlight aim4.8%3.5%1.4×
Suspension arm bushes3.0%1.2%2.5×
Drive shaft (CV) joints2.9%1.3%2.2×
Tyre tread depth2.8%2.9%1.0×
Coil springs2.4%2.1%1.1×
Sidelights2.3%2.8%0.8×
Brake pads2.3%2.3%1.0×
Windscreen wipers2.0%2.2%0.9×
Brake lights1.8%2.1%0.8×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements48.4
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn46.8
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc30.4
A tyre seriously damaged29.8
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements28.0
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened23.7
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction22.3
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm21.1
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.

2018 SEAT Toledo1 engine81.4% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Petrol5,89681.4%Beats 25%D
2017 SEAT Toledo3 engines77.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Petrol2,25579.4%Beats 19%E
1.6 Diesel1,43874.5%Beats 45%C
1.2 Petrol1,08277.5%Beats 12%E
2016 SEAT Toledo2 engines76.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel2,58173.1%Beats 43%C
1.2 Petrol1,60781.5%Beats 62%B
2015 SEAT Toledo2 engines72.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel4,92370.4%Beats 39%D
1.2 Petrol2,26078.1%Beats 49%C
2014 SEAT Toledo2 engines72.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel5,28969.2%Beats 47%C
1.2 Petrol3,65277.6%Beats 66%B
2013 SEAT Toledo2 engines67.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel7,64766.1%Beats 45%C
1.2 Petrol2,00874.7%Beats 65%B
2007 SEAT Toledo1 engine51.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel1,08451.5%Beats 38%D
2006 SEAT Toledo1 engine47.7% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel1,49147.7%Beats 30%D
2005 SEAT Toledo3 engines49.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel1,50951.3%Beats 50%C
2.0 Diesel1,06550.0%Beats 43%C
1.6 Petrol1,02947.4%Beats 30%D
2004 SEAT Toledo1 engine56.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel1,20356.9%Beats 70%B
2003 SEAT Toledo1 engine53.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel1,01353.0%Beats 60%C

FAQ

What is the SEAT Toledo MOT pass rate?

69.9% of MOT tests on the SEAT Toledo were passed first time, based on 49,032 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2003–2018. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 70.7% of the time.

Is the SEAT Toledo reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 45% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which SEAT Toledo year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2004 Toledo does best for its age and mileage: it beats 70% of cars on UK roads. The 2018 does worst: it beats 25%.

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

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, headlight aim, suspension arm bushes. Compared with similar cars, suspension arm bushes comes up 2.5× 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.