2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 SEAT Ibiza MOT pass rate and common faults

1,141 MOT tests in 2024. 51.3% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

91Well below average
Passed first time51.3%
Failed or needed repairs48.7%
Typical mileage at test92,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,141 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt7.7%
  2. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction5.6%
  3. Position lamp: not working5.0%
  4. Stop lamp: not working4.9%
  5. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively4.3%
  6. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.2%
  7. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid3.8%
  8. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn3.6%
  9. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.6%
  10. Service brake imbalance: across an axle3.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics30.8%
  2. Suspension23.3%
  3. Brakes23.3%
  4. Emissions & leaks15.6%
  5. Body & chassis15.3%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)12.7%
  7. Tyres9.1%
  8. Steering7.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.8%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure12.2%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine11.9%
  4. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases11.2%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.4%

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 2004 SEAT Ibiza?

In 2024, 51.3% of 2004 SEAT Ibiza cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,141 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 SEAT Ibiza?

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

Is the 2004 SEAT Ibiza reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 91, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).