2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 SEAT Arosa MOT pass rate and common faults

469 MOT tests in 2024. 55.6% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

97Below average
Passed first time55.6%
Failed or needed repairs44.4%
Typical mileage at test77,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 469 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.1%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.2%
  3. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.2%
  4. Position lamp: not working3.2%
  5. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.8%
  6. Stop lamp: not working2.6%
  7. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.6%
  8. Service brake imbalance: across an axle2.6%
  9. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.6%
  10. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.3%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics31.6%
  2. Brakes17.5%
  3. Suspension15.6%
  4. Body & chassis10.7%
  5. Emissions & leaks10.7%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.7%
  7. Tyres7.0%
  8. Steering6.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases14.9%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure14.3%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.2%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine12.6%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn12.2%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 SEAT Arosa?

In 2024, 55.6% of 2003 SEAT Arosa cars passed their MOT first time, across 469 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 SEAT Arosa?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; coil spring: fractured or broken; exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 SEAT Arosa reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 97, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).