At a Glance
The Seat Ibiza has 16 identified common problems across 5 generations, with the Mk4 (2008-2017) being the most affected generation and tyres & wheels the most common problem category. Based on 2.7M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Seat Ibiza common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Seat Ibiza generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Seat Ibiza Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Mk1
Most common MOT failure: Brake performance below minimum
Mk2
Most common MOT failure: Tyre tread below 1.6mm limit
Mk3
Top issue: Brake air or vacuum system fault
Mk4
Top issue: Brake lever fault
Mk5
Top issue: Track rod end worn
Most Common Seat Ibiza MOT Failures
Every reason Seat Ibiza vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 8.92% |
| 2 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 8.47% |
| 3 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 6.74% |
| 4 | Tyre condition | 6.68% |
| 5 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.98% |
| 6 | Stop lamp not working | 5.06% |
| 7 | Windscreen washer not working | 4.99% |
| 8 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.55% |
| 9 | Exhaust system fault | 3.18% |
| 10 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 3.07% |
| 11 | Driveshaft fault | 2.96% |
| 12 | Front lamp not working | 2.82% |
| 13 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.45% |
| 14 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.30% |
| 15 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 2.16% |
| 16 | Ball joint dust cover split | 2.14% |
| 17 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.05% |
| 18 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.99% |
| 19 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.97% |
| 20 | Headlamp fault | 1.82% |
| 21 | Track rod end worn | 1.71% |
| 22 | Position lamp not working | 1.66% |
| 23 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.41% |
| 24 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 1.08% |
| 25 | Rear lamp not working | 0.94% |
| 26 | Parking brake condition | 0.91% |
| 27 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.81% |
| 28 | Rear suspension fault | 0.73% |
| 29 | Airbag warning light on | 0.65% |
| 30 | Indicator fault | 0.56% |
| 31 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.50% |
| 32 | Steering rack fault | 0.43% |
| 33 | ABS fault | 0.43% |
| 34 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.40% |
| 35 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.39% |
| 36 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.37% |
| 37 | Brake lever fault | 0.34% |
| 38 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.32% |
| 39 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.29% |
| 40 | Seat belt condition | 0.28% |
| 41 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.27% |
| 42 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.26% |
| 43 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.25% |
| 44 | Horn not working | 0.24% |
| 45 | Fog lamp not working | 0.23% |
| 46 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.22% |
| 47 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.21% |
| 48 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.20% |
| 49 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.20% |
| 50 | Front suspension fault | 0.18% |
| 51 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.15% |
| 52 | Brake fluid leak | 0.14% |
| 53 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.13% |
| 54 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.12% |
| 55 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.10% |
| 56 | Front passenger door fault | 0.10% |
| 57 | Chassis condition | 0.09% |
| 58 | Driver door fault | 0.09% |
| 59 | Brake pedal fault | 0.09% |
| 60 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.09% |
| 61 | Brake caliper fault | 0.09% |
| 62 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.08% |
| 63 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.08% |
| 64 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.08% |
| 65 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.07% |
| 66 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.07% |
| 67 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.07% |
| 68 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.06% |
| 69 | Passenger seat fault | 0.06% |
| 70 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.06% |
| 71 | Electrical switch fault | 0.06% |
| 72 | Steering arm worn | 0.06% |
| 73 | Engine oil leak | 0.05% |
| 74 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.05% |
| 75 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 76 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.05% |
| 77 | Electric power steering fault | 0.05% |
| 78 | Drag link end worn | 0.04% |
| 79 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.04% |
| 80 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.04% |
| 81 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.04% |
| 82 | Steering column fault | 0.04% |
| 83 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.04% |
| 84 | Driver airbag fault | 0.04% |
| 85 | Driver seat fault | 0.04% |
| 86 | Steering free play excessive | 0.04% |
| 87 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 88 | Propshaft fault | 0.03% |
| 89 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.03% |
| 90 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 91 | Steering operation fault | 0.03% |
| 92 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 93 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 94 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 95 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.02% |
| 97 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.02% |
| 99 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 101 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.02% |
| 102 | Dip switch fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.01% |
| 104 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.01% |
| 105 | Steering lock fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Power steering pump fault | 0.01% |
| 107 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.01% |
| 108 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 109 | CV joint worn | 0.01% |
| 110 | Brake servo fault | 0.01% |
| 111 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.01% |
| 112 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 114 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 116 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | <0.01% |
| 117 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 119 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 121 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 127 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 129 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 130 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 131 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 133 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 135 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 137 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 138 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 139 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 143 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 144 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 145 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 148 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 150 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 151 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 154 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 156 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 157 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 162 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 164 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 165 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 167 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 171 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 173 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 175 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 178 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 179 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 181 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 182 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 183 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 187 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 188 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 189 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 190 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 191 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 192 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 193 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 194 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 195 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 195 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Seat Ibiza MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Seat Ibiza, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Seat Ibiza problems?
Based on analysis of 2.7M Seat Ibiza MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 16 identified common problems across 5 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Track rod end worn". Tyres & Wheels is the most common problem category.
Which Seat Ibiza generation has the most problems?
The Seat Ibiza Mk4 (2008-2017) (2008–2017) has the highest number of identified common problems (13). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Seat Ibiza?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Seat Ibiza owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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