Comparison · small hatchbacks
Nissan Micra vs SEAT Ibiza: which is more reliable?
The Nissan Micra does better at the MOT, with a score of 97 against 92 for the SEAT Ibiza, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 429,529 real MOT tests in 2024.
Nissan Micra
SEAT Ibiza
By age
MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).
| Age at test | Nissan Micra | SEAT Ibiza |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 years | 101About average | 100About average |
| 6–9 years | 96Below average | 89Well below average |
| 10–14 years | 100About average | 92Well below average |
| 15+ years | 95Below average | 88Well below average |
Year by year
Share that passed first time, same registration year.
| Year | Nissan Micra | SEAT Ibiza |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 91.2% | 87.8% |
| 2020 | 88.0% | 86.4% |
| 2019 | 83.4% | 85.6% |
| 2018 | 77.2% | 75.1% |
| 2017 | 71.7% | 70.5% |
| 2016 | 75.6% | 68.3% |
| 2015 | 73.9% | 64.5% |
| 2014 | 69.6% | 62.4% |
| 2013 | 66.5% | 60.3% |
| 2012 | 63.0% | 60.0% |
| 2011 | 61.7% | 57.9% |
| 2010 | 60.5% | 55.9% |
| 2009 | 59.6% | 53.3% |
| 2008 | 58.9% | 48.7% |
| 2007 | 55.2% | 47.0% |
| 2006 | 54.5% | 49.9% |
| 2005 | 51.3% | 50.1% |
| 2004 | 51.8% | 51.3% |
| 2003 | 51.6% | 49.9% |
| 2002 | 54.0% | 55.0% |
| 2001 | 54.3% | 56.3% |
Problem areas
Failure items per 100 tests.
| Area | Nissan Micra | SEAT Ibiza |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & electrics | 26.6 | 15.4 |
| Suspension | 17.8 | 15.1 |
| Brakes | 9.2 | 14.5 |
| Tyres | 6.3 | 9.4 |
| Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors) | 7.7 | 6.8 |
| Body & chassis | 4.7 | 4.8 |
| Emissions & leaks | 3.9 | 5.0 |
| Steering | 1.7 | 3.7 |
Nissan Micra: top failures
SEAT Ibiza: top failures
Questions
Which is more reliable, the Nissan Micra or the SEAT Ibiza?
The Nissan Micra does better at the MOT, with a score of 97 against 92 for the SEAT Ibiza, comparing each with cars of the same age.
Which years of the Nissan Micra and SEAT Ibiza can be compared?
Both were tested for 21 registration years (2001–2021). The Nissan Micra had the higher pass rate in 18 of them and the SEAT Ibiza in 3.
What fails most on each?
Nissan Micra: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; position lamp: not working. SEAT Ibiza: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.