Comparison · small SUVs

Volkswagen T-Roc vs SEAT Arona: which is more reliable?

The Volkswagen T-Roc does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 100 for the SEAT Arona, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 120,808 real MOT tests in 2024.

Volkswagen T-Roc

106Above average
MOT tests74,366

SEAT Arona

100About average
MOT tests46,442

By age

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

Age at testVolkswagen T-RocSEAT Arona
3–5 years
106Above average
101About average
6–9 years
108Well above average
94Below average
10–14 years––
15+ years––

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearVolkswagen T-RocSEAT Arona
202191.8%87.5%
202091.9%88.7%
201990.7%86.4%
201889.2%78.0%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaVolkswagen T-RocSEAT Arona
Tyres4.45.2
Brakes1.85.9
Lights & electrics1.42.4
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.81.9
Steering0.02.7
Seat belts & airbags0.60.8
Emissions & leaks0.50.7
Suspension0.20.7

Volkswagen T-Roc: top failures

  1. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.5%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.1%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.1%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.5%
  6. Headlamp aim: too high0.4%

SEAT Arona: top failures

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.4%
  2. Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.1%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.2%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively fluctuating0.9%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.9%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Volkswagen T-Roc or the SEAT Arona?

The Volkswagen T-Roc does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 100 for the SEAT Arona, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Volkswagen T-Roc and SEAT Arona can be compared?

Both were tested for 4 registration years (2018–2021). The Volkswagen T-Roc had the higher pass rate in 4 of them and the SEAT Arona in 0.

What fails most on each?

Volkswagen T-Roc: tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. SEAT Arona: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.