Comparison · small hatchbacks

SEAT Ibiza vs Hyundai i20: which is more reliable?

The Hyundai i20 does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 92 for the SEAT Ibiza, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 316,555 real MOT tests in 2024.

SEAT Ibiza

92Well below average
MOT tests191,165

Hyundai i20

100About average
MOT tests125,390

By age

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

Age at testSEAT IbizaHyundai i20
3–5 years
100About average
101About average
6–9 years
89Well below average
105Above average
10–14 years
92Well below average
96Below average
15+ years
88Well below average
99About average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearSEAT IbizaHyundai i20
202187.8%85.8%
202086.4%89.0%
201985.6%87.8%
201875.1%85.4%
201770.5%83.1%
201668.3%80.7%
201564.5%78.7%
201462.4%69.0%
201360.3%62.0%
201260.0%58.3%
201157.9%59.1%
201055.9%59.3%
200953.3%57.9%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaSEAT IbizaHyundai i20
Lights & electrics15.414.8
Brakes14.512.0
Suspension15.17.1
Tyres9.45.7
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.87.1
Emissions & leaks5.02.4
Body & chassis4.81.9
Steering3.71.1

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%

Hyundai i20: top failures

  1. Position lamp: not working3.8%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.8%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
  6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.3%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the SEAT Ibiza or the Hyundai i20?

The Hyundai i20 does better at the MOT, with a score of 100 against 92 for the SEAT Ibiza, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the SEAT Ibiza and Hyundai i20 can be compared?

Both were tested for 13 registration years (2009–2021). The SEAT Ibiza had the higher pass rate in 2 of them and the Hyundai i20 in 11.

What fails most on each?

SEAT Ibiza: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Hyundai i20: position lamp: not working; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively.