Comparison · small hatchbacks

Toyota Yaris vs SEAT Ibiza: which is more reliable?

The Toyota Yaris does better at the MOT, with a score of 104 against 92 for the SEAT Ibiza, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 645,862 real MOT tests in 2024.

Toyota Yaris

104Above average
MOT tests454,697

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 testToyota YarisSEAT Ibiza
3–5 years
104Above average
100About average
6–9 years
106Above average
89Well below average
10–14 years
109Well above average
92Well below average
15+ years
99About average
88Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaToyota YarisSEAT Ibiza
Lights & electrics19.215.4
Suspension9.715.1
Brakes7.914.5
Tyres5.49.4
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.36.8
Emissions & leaks3.55.0
Body & chassis3.24.8
Steering0.33.7

Toyota Yaris: top failures

  1. Position lamp: not working3.5%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.6%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.9%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.8%
  5. Stop lamp: not working1.4%
  6. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.2%

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 Toyota Yaris or the SEAT Ibiza?

The Toyota Yaris does better at the MOT, with a score of 104 against 92 for the SEAT Ibiza, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Toyota Yaris and SEAT Ibiza can be compared?

Both were tested for 21 registration years (2001–2021). The Toyota Yaris had the higher pass rate in 20 of them and the SEAT Ibiza in 1.

What fails most on each?

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