MOT pass rates / SEAT
SEAT MOT pass rates and common failures
SEAT cars passed 73.6% of their MOTs first time in 2024, across 473,442 class-4 initial tests and 21 model groups. That is above the 71.2% UK average, and ranks SEAT 26th of 59 makes in the dataset.
Pass rates track age more strongly than badge: an older SEAT is compared here against older cars of every other make, so read the age table below before drawing conclusions about the brand.
Checking a SEAT?
Make-level pass rates cannot reveal the condition or provenance of one car.
Check its registration free for the actual MOT, tax and mileage record. Before buying, the optional £9.99 full history check adds outstanding-finance, stolen and insurance write-off checks.
What SEAT cars fail on
The items most often behind a first-test failure across SEAT model groups, as a share of SEAT tests. DVSA publishes each model group's six most common categories, so this ranks the biggest published causes rather than every possible one.
- Condition — 4.2% of SEAT tests. Corrosion, damage or wear on a tested component. Worth seeing in person, as the cost ranges from trivial to structural.
- Headlamp Aim — 3.6% of SEAT tests. Headlights pointing too high or low. Cheap to adjust, and common on every make.
- Tread Depth — 2.8% of SEAT tests. Tyres below the 1.6mm legal limit. Budget for tyres, and treat it as a sign of how the car was maintained.
- Brake Performance — 2.4% of SEAT tests. The brakes underperformed on the rolling road. Expect brake work rather than an adjustment.
- Suspension Arms — 2.2% of SEAT tests. Worn arms or bushes. A common age-related repair that affects handling and tyre wear.
- Mechanical Brake Components — 1.7% of SEAT tests. Worn discs, pads or callipers. Routine wear, but it should be priced into the deal.
- Washers — 1.6% of SEAT tests. Empty or blocked washers. Trivial, but again a sign of the last owner's care.
- Exhaust Emissions — 1.4% of SEAT tests. The car exceeded its emissions limits. Can be a sensor or a service, but on a diesel it can also mean an expensive filter or catalyst.
SEAT MOT pass rate by age
| Age at test | Tests | Initial pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 years | 119,417 | 86.5% |
| 6–9 years | 170,615 | 76.9% |
| 10–14 years | 132,890 | 65.1% |
| 15–30 years | 50,445 | 54.6% |
SEAT models by MOT pass rate
| Model | Tests | Initial pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Ibiza | 165,826 | 66.1% |
| Leon | 149,433 | 75.4% |
| Ateca | 33,704 | 88% |
| Arona | 32,666 | 84.7% |
| Alhambra | 26,063 | 74.2% |
| MII | 16,411 | 76.9% |
| Altea | 11,313 | 58.2% |
| Tarraco | 6,216 | 84.6% |
| Toledo | 5,670 | 69.1% |
| Exeo | 4,290 | 64.1% |
| Leon FR TSI EVO | 4,236 | 90.1% |
| Leon SE Dynamic TSI EVO | 3,162 | 87.6% |
| Leon FR Black Edition TSI EVO | 2,075 | 85.3% |
| Arona FR Ecotsi | 1,988 | 86.3% |
| Arosa | 1,855 | 57.7% |
| Ibiza FR MPI | 1,736 | 85.3% |
| Ateca SE Technology TSI EVO | 1,696 | 87.4% |
| Leon FR PHEV S-A | 1,461 | 87.1% |
| MII EV | 1,415 | 87.4% |
| Ateca SE Technology TSI EVO SA | 1,180 | 88.8% |
| Ateca Xperience TSI EVO S-A | 1,046 | 91.2% |
How many SEAT vehicles are left?
At the end of 2026 Q1, DfT recorded 644,720 licensed and 45,262 SORN SEAT vehicles across 13 published model groups.
Licensed and SORN counts for every SEAT model
Before you buy
- Condition — 4.2% of tests in 2024. Corrosion, damage or wear on a tested component. Worth seeing in person, as the cost ranges from trivial to structural.
- Headlamp Aim — 3.6% of tests in 2024. Headlights pointing too high or low. Cheap to adjust, and common on every make.
- Tread Depth — 2.8% of tests in 2024. Tyres below the 1.6mm legal limit. Budget for tyres, and treat it as a sign of how the car was maintained.
- Brake Performance — 2.4% of tests in 2024. The brakes underperformed on the rolling road. Expect brake work rather than an adjustment.
- Check the actual SEAT — These figures describe the model group. Enter the registration for that vehicle's free MOT, tax and mileage record before you pay a deposit.
Common questions
What is the SEAT MOT pass rate?
73.6% of 473,442 class-4 initial MOT tests on SEAT cars passed first time in 2024 — above the 71.2% UK average across all published models.
Which SEAT has the best MOT pass rate?
Of the SEAT model groups with a substantial sample, the Ateca has the highest initial pass rate at 88% across 33,704 tests. Pass rates track vehicle age closely, so newer model groups tend to sit higher.
Does a good SEAT pass rate mean the car I am looking at is fine?
No. A model-level rate describes a population, not one vehicle. Enter the registration for that car's own MOT, tax and mileage record, and check for outstanding finance, write-off and stolen markers before you buy.
Methodology and limitations
MOT outcomes describe testable items at the time of inspection. They are not a measure of overall mechanical reliability.
Scope: Class 4 normal initial MOT tests completed in 2024. Models require at least 1,000 qualifying tests. Duplicate source rows are removed using official DVSA test IDs.
Source: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published 2025-05-23 under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Check the actual car
Enter the registration for that SEAT's own free MOT, tax and mileage record. Before money changes hands, the £9.99 full history check adds outstanding finance, insurance write-off and stolen checks.