2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 SEAT Ibiza MOT pass rate and common faults

854 MOT tests in 2024. 49.9% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

87Well below average
Passed first time49.9%
Failed or needed repairs50.1%
Typical mileage at test95,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 854 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt9.1%
  2. Stop lamp: not working6.4%
  3. Position lamp: not working5.5%
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction4.8%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.8%
    67 marked dangerous
  6. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.7%
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.5%
  8. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.5%
  9. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid3.5%
  10. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics36.4%
  2. Suspension21.0%
  3. Brakes19.6%
  4. Body & chassis17.8%
  5. Emissions & leaks17.3%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)12.5%
  7. Tyres10.4%
  8. Steering5.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm22.6%
  2. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases12.4%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure12.3%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine12.3%
  5. Registration plates: inscription illegible8.5%

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 Ibiza?

In 2024, 49.9% of 2003 SEAT Ibiza cars passed their MOT first time, across 854 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

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

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; stop lamp: not working; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 SEAT Ibiza reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 87, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).