Comparison · small hatchbacks

Renault Clio vs SEAT Ibiza: which is more reliable?

The SEAT Ibiza does better at the MOT, with a score of 92 against 83 for the Renault Clio, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 508,014 real MOT tests in 2024.

Renault Clio

83Well below average
MOT tests316,849

SEAT Ibiza

92Well below average
MOT tests191,165

By age

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

Age at testRenault ClioSEAT Ibiza
3–5 years
95Below average
100About average
6–9 years
83Well below average
89Well below average
10–14 years
78Well below average
92Well below average
15+ years
83Well below average
88Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearRenault ClioSEAT Ibiza
202187.0%87.8%
202084.2%86.4%
201977.0%85.6%
201874.0%75.1%
201768.7%70.5%
201660.7%68.3%
201557.7%64.5%
201454.7%62.4%
201355.8%60.3%
201247.6%60.0%
201146.6%57.9%
201047.1%55.9%
200948.1%53.3%
200846.7%48.7%
200746.7%47.0%
200646.6%49.9%
200547.7%50.1%
200448.4%51.3%
200349.0%49.9%
200252.5%55.0%
200152.3%56.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaRenault ClioSEAT Ibiza
Lights & electrics28.115.4
Suspension23.515.1
Brakes15.914.5
Tyres9.29.4
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.56.8
Body & chassis5.94.8
Steering6.53.7
Emissions & leaks3.85.0

Renault Clio: top failures

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn7.2%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken7.1%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.3%
  4. Position lamp: not working3.5%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
  6. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.6%

SEAT Ibiza: top failures

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.8%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.4%
  3. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.2%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.0%
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.9%
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.5%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Renault Clio or the SEAT Ibiza?

The SEAT Ibiza does better at the MOT, with a score of 92 against 83 for the Renault Clio, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Renault Clio and SEAT Ibiza can be compared?

Both were tested for 21 registration years (2001–2021). The Renault Clio had the higher pass rate in 0 of them and the SEAT Ibiza in 21.

What fails most on each?

Renault Clio: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; coil spring: fractured or broken. SEAT Ibiza: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.