Ranked by MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, 3 to 15 years old

SEAT models ranked by MOT fails

Q: Which SEAT models have the fewest MOT fails?

170,065 MOT tests at 3 to 9 years put the SEAT Ateca first: 25% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage. Next is the SEAT Exeo: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.87).

Q: Which SEAT models fail their MOT most often?

710,595 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years put the SEAT Ibiza last of the 10 in this list: 22% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

Q: How many SEAT models are compared?

10 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each age counted, 2,014,057 MOT tests in all; 1 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 1 at least 20% more often.

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 2,014,057 MOT tests · Updated 7 Oct 2026

SEAT Ateca has the fewest MOT fails among SEAT models: 25% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (170,065 MOT tests) ^[1].

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10 models ranked, 1 with at least 20% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (95% interval, at 3 or more ages), from 2,014,057 MOT tests ^[1]
SEAT Exeo is next: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.87) (18,662 MOT tests)
SEAT Ibiza is last of the 10: 22% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (710,595 MOT tests)

Which year and engine a car has, and how it was kept, decide where one car sits in these ranges. Check the reg first.

Fail rates are for the model across its MOT tests, never a forecast for one car.

Fewest MOT fails: SEAT Ateca, 25% fewer fails than cars the same age and mileage

This is DVSA MOT data, not road tests, owner surveys or breakdown records, and nobody paid to be included. Each model is compared with all cars tested at the same age, in the same mileage band and in its own mix of test years, so a low-mileage model does not look better for its low mileage. "Most reliable" in our titles is measured as MOT failure rate at the same age and mileage, not breakdowns.

SEAT models: the ranking

Ranked by MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, from 10 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each of 3 or more ages between 3 to 15 years (pooled). The range under each rank is where the model could sit once sampling error is allowed for. Each adjusted rate reads against its own all-car rate, because models are tested at different ages.

Top 10 of 10. Adjusted rate = the model's rate at typical mileage for its own ages, against all cars at those ages; raw = its own ages and mileage.
#95% range	Model	Against cars the same age and mileage	Adjusted rateits own ages, typical mileage	Rawits own ages and mileage	MOT tests	Next step
1certain	SEAT Atecafamily SUV	25% fewer fails (24–26% fewer)	11.1%all cars: 14.8%	11.4%	170,065at 3 to 9 years	SEAT Ateca MOT fail rate · SEAT Ateca common problems
2certain	SEAT Exeoexecutive car	close to averageratio 0.87 (0.85–0.88)	32.0%all cars: 37.0%	35.1%	18,662at 10 to 15 years	SEAT Exeo common problems
3certain	SEAT Leonfamily hatchback	close to averageratio 0.89 (0.89–0.90)	20.5%all cars: 23.0%	21.9%	676,671at 3 to 15 years	SEAT Leon MOT fail rate · SEAT Leon common problems
4certain	SEAT AlhambraMPV	close to averageratio 0.94 (0.93–0.95)	21.2%all cars: 22.6%	23.4%	101,390at 3 to 15 years	SEAT Alhambra MOT fail rate · SEAT Alhambra common problems
55–6	SEAT Miicity car	close to averageratio 0.98 (0.97–0.99)	24.0%all cars: 24.5%	21.5%	72,268at 3 to 13 years	SEAT Mii MOT fail rate · SEAT Mii common problems
65–6	SEAT AlteaMPV	about averageratio 1.00 (0.99–1.01)	36.6%all cars: 36.5%	38.5%	41,259at 8 to 15 years	SEAT Altea MOT fail rate · SEAT Altea common problems
77–9	SEAT Tarracolarge SUV	close to averageratio 1.10 (1.07–1.13)	13.9%all cars: 12.6%	14.7%	30,402at 3 to 6 years	SEAT Tarraco MOT fail rate · SEAT Tarraco common problems
87–9	SEAT Toledo (first used from 2012)family hatchback	close to averageratio 1.11 (1.09–1.14)	25.3%all cars: 22.7%	27.3%	20,055at 4 to 11 years	SEAT Toledo common problems
97–9	SEAT Aronasmall SUV	close to averageratio 1.11 (1.10–1.13)	14.9%all cars: 13.4%	14.3%	172,690at 3 to 7 years	SEAT Arona MOT fail rate · SEAT Arona common problems
10certain	SEAT Ibizasupermini	22% more fails (21.6–22.4% more)	31.8%all cars: 26.1%	32.0%	710,595at 3 to 15 years	SEAT Ibiza MOT fail rate · SEAT Ibiza common problems

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The top 10 in this list, model by model

1 · 25% fewer MOT fails

SEAT Ateca

Why it ranks here: 25% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.75, 95% CI 0.74–0.76), from 170,065 MOT tests at 3 to 9 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 11.1% (10.9%–11.2%), against 14.8% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 11.4%. Rank range 1–1.

Check before you buy: fails on seat belts and airbags 1.6–1.8× as often as cars the same age (931 fails in 171,168 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a family SUV; the ones tested were 72% petrol, 28% diesel.

2 · About average

SEAT Exeo

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.87, 95% CI 0.85–0.88), from 18,662 MOT tests at 10 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 32.0% (31.4%–32.7%), against 37.0% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 35.1%. Rank range 2–2.

Check before you buy: fails on steering 1.6–1.8× as often as cars the same age (876 fails in 19,093 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at an executive car; the ones tested were mostly diesel.

3 · About average

SEAT Leon

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.89, 95% CI 0.89–0.90), from 676,671 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 20.5% (20.4%–20.6%), against 23.0% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 21.9%. Rank range 3–3.

Check before you buy: no part fails significantly more often than on cars the same age (ages 3 to 15).

Suits: buyers looking at a family hatchback; the ones tested were 56% petrol, 42% diesel.

4 · About average

SEAT Alhambra

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.94, 95% CI 0.93–0.95), from 101,390 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 21.2% (20.9%–21.4%), against 22.6% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 23.4%. Rank range 4–4.

Check before you buy: fails on seat belts and airbags 1.7–1.9× as often as cars the same age (940 fails in 102,404 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on tyres 1.4–1.5× as often as cars the same age (9,011 fails in 102,404 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on emissions and leaks 1.4–1.5× as often as cars the same age (2,832 fails in 102,404 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at an MPV; the ones tested were mostly diesel.

5 · About average

SEAT Mii

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.98, 95% CI 0.97–0.99), from 72,268 MOT tests at 3 to 13 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 24.0% (23.7%–24.3%), against 24.5% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 21.5%. Rank range 5–6.

Check before you buy: fails on seat belts and airbags 3.2–3.6× as often as cars the same age (1,307 fails in 72,945 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a city car; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

6 · About average

SEAT Altea

Why it ranks here: About as many MOT fails as cars the same age and mileage (ratio 1.00, 95% CI 0.99–1.01), from 41,259 MOT tests at 8 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 36.6% (36.1%–37.0%), against 36.5% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 38.5%. Rank range 5–6.

Check before you buy: fails on seat belts and airbags 1.7–2.0× as often as cars the same age (820 fails in 42,043 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on body and structure 1.4–1.5× as often as cars the same age (2,617 fails in 42,043 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at an MPV; the ones tested were mostly diesel.

7 · About average

SEAT Tarraco

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.10, 95% CI 1.07–1.13), from 30,402 MOT tests at 3 to 6 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 13.9% (13.5%–14.3%), against 12.6% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 14.7%. Rank range 7–9.

Check before you buy: no part fails significantly more often than on cars the same age (ages 3 to 15).

Suits: buyers looking at a large SUV; the ones tested were 56% petrol, 44% diesel.

8 · About average

SEAT Toledo (first used from 2012)

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.11, 95% CI 1.09–1.14), from 20,055 MOT tests at 4 to 11 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 25.3% (24.7%–25.8%), against 22.7% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 27.3%. Rank range 7–9.

Check before you buy: fails on body and structure 2.3–2.6× as often as cars the same age (749 fails in 20,583 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on suspension 1.7–1.8× as often as cars the same age (2,006 fails in 20,583 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on emissions and leaks 1.6–1.8× as often as cars the same age (628 fails in 20,583 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a family hatchback; the ones tested were 52% petrol, 48% diesel; this row covers cars first used from 2012.

9 · About average

SEAT Arona

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.11, 95% CI 1.10–1.13), from 172,690 MOT tests at 3 to 7 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 14.9% (14.7%–15.1%), against 13.4% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 14.3%. Rank range 7–9.

Check before you buy: fails on steering 9.9–10.5× as often as cars the same age (4,286 fails in 173,475 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on seat belts and airbags 2.3–2.5× as often as cars the same age (1,286 fails in 173,475 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on brakes 1.8–1.9× as often as cars the same age (7,102 fails in 173,475 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a small SUV; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

10 · 22% more MOT fails

SEAT Ibiza

Why it ranks here: 22% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 1.22, 95% CI 1.22–1.22), from 710,595 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 31.8% (31.7%–31.9%), against 26.1% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 32.0%. Rank range 10–10.

Check before you buy: fails on steering 1.8–1.9× as often as cars the same age (20,214 fails in 714,397 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on visibility 1.51–1.53× as often as cars the same age (43,958 fails in 714,397 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on brakes 1.47–1.49× as often as cars the same age (57,605 fails in 714,397 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a supermini; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

How to choose SEAT models with this list

Compare like with like: against cars the same age and mileage, this list runs from 25% fewer (SEAT Ateca) to 22% more (SEAT Ibiza).
1 of the 10 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 1 at least 20% more often; the other 8 are within that band, or too uncertain to say.
Look at what a model fails on: 8 of the 10 models above have a part that fails more often than on cars the same age.
Then check the one car: its own MOT history and advisories say more about it than its model's average.

Found one on the list? Check that car

A ranking compares models at the same age and mileage; it cannot say how one car was kept. A registration shows that car's own DVSA record: its MOT tests, the mileage at each test and the recall flag.

Free car check by registration The MOT record, the mileage readings and the recall flag in one overview, with how the model does at its MOT.
Check any car's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
Mileage check by registration The odometer reading from each MOT, with drops, jumps and long gaps flagged.

How we rank

2,014,057 MOT tests from 2022–2025 of cars 3 to 15 years old. For each model and age, the tests are split into 6 mileage bands (<30k, 30-60k, 60-90k, 90-120k, 120-150k, 150k+); the expected fails are what all cars of that age would fail in the same bands, corrected to the model's own mix of test years. The ratio of the model's fails to the expected fails sets its place. The adjusted rate is that ratio times the all-car rate at the model's own ages, so it reads against that rate: a model tested only at 3 to 5 years is compared with young cars, not with this list's average.

The 95% intervals cover sampling error only (Wilson intervals). A model is called fewer or more only when its interval is at least 20% from the all-car rate, overall and at 3 or more ages ("close to average" when the interval excludes the all-car rate by less); awards use the same rule. Test years: Each model's expected fails therefore use its own mix of test years 2022–2025, age by age; the mileage bands themselves pool the four years, which can leave a small bias in favour of models first sold late in the window. Generations of a model are pooled unless the data splits them; each row says which years it covers. How we compare

Limitation: MOT tests record roadworthiness defects on the test day. They do not record breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs, and they cannot separate design from upkeep: a model whose owners service it before every MOT looks better here. Only cars still on the road are tested.

More lists

Questions people ask

Which SEAT models have the fewest MOT fails?

170,065 MOT tests at 3 to 9 years put the SEAT Ateca first: 25% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage. Next is the SEAT Exeo: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.87).

Which SEAT models fail their MOT most often?

710,595 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years put the SEAT Ibiza last of the 10 in this list: 22% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

How many SEAT models are compared?

10 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each age counted, 2,014,057 MOT tests in all; 1 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 1 at least 20% more often.

Sources

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 2,014,057 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.