Comparison · small SUVs

Ford Ecosport vs SEAT Arona: which is more reliable?

The SEAT Arona does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 96 for the Ford Ecosport, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 148,680 real MOT tests in 2024.

Ford Ecosport

96Below average
MOT tests102,238

SEAT Arona

100About average
MOT tests46,442

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testFord EcosportSEAT Arona
3–5 years
99About average
101About average
6–9 years
94Below average
94Below average
10–14 years
94Below average
–
15+ years––

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearFord EcosportSEAT Arona
202184.3%87.5%
202086.1%88.7%
201984.1%86.4%
201882.0%78.0%
201772.9%71.6%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaFord EcosportSEAT Arona
Lights & electrics12.82.4
Brakes6.55.9
Tyres5.75.2
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.41.9
Steering1.12.7
Emissions & leaks2.60.7
Suspension1.50.7
Body & chassis1.70.2

Ford Ecosport: top failures

  1. Stop lamp: not working5.0%
  2. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.9%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.6%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.9%
  6. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases0.9%

SEAT Arona: top failures

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.4%
  2. Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.1%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.2%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively fluctuating0.9%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.9%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Ford Ecosport or the SEAT Arona?

The SEAT Arona does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 96 for the Ford Ecosport, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Ford Ecosport and SEAT Arona can be compared?

Both were tested for 5 registration years (2017–2021). The Ford Ecosport had the higher pass rate in 2 of them and the SEAT Arona in 3.

What fails most on each?

Ford Ecosport: stop lamp: not working; headlamp: not working on dipped beam. SEAT Arona: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.