Comparison · small hatchbacks

Volkswagen Polo vs SEAT Ibiza: which is more reliable?

The Volkswagen Polo does better at the MOT, with a score of 95 against 92 for the SEAT Ibiza, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 804,650 real MOT tests in 2024.

Volkswagen Polo

95Below average
MOT tests613,485

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 testVolkswagen PoloSEAT Ibiza
3–5 years
100About average
100About average
6–9 years
97Below average
89Well below average
10–14 years
96Below average
92Well below average
15+ years
88Well below average
88Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearVolkswagen PoloSEAT Ibiza
202188.7%87.8%
202087.9%86.4%
201983.1%85.6%
201875.9%75.1%
201777.4%70.5%
201675.5%68.3%
201572.7%64.5%
201467.5%62.4%
201363.6%60.3%
201262.0%60.0%
201158.4%57.9%
201057.1%55.9%
200954.3%53.3%
200851.2%48.7%
200751.4%47.0%
200648.4%49.9%
200548.2%50.1%
200447.3%51.3%
200347.5%49.9%
200248.7%55.0%
200154.0%56.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaVolkswagen PoloSEAT Ibiza
Lights & electrics18.215.4
Brakes13.914.5
Suspension13.315.1
Tyres7.09.4
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.16.8
Emissions & leaks6.75.0
Body & chassis6.14.8
Steering3.33.7

Volkswagen Polo: top failures

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.9%
  4. Position lamp: not working1.6%
  5. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.6%
  6. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.4%

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 Volkswagen Polo or the SEAT Ibiza?

The Volkswagen Polo does better at the MOT, with a score of 95 against 92 for the SEAT Ibiza, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Volkswagen Polo and SEAT Ibiza can be compared?

Both were tested for 21 registration years (2001–2021). The Volkswagen Polo had the higher pass rate in 14 of them and the SEAT Ibiza in 7.

What fails most on each?

Volkswagen Polo: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. SEAT Ibiza: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.