2017 SEAT Arona — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,697 MOT tests, the 2017 SEAT Arona recorded an 83.2% pass rate. Against small SUVs of a similar age (12.0% fail rate), the 2017 Arona comes out 4.8pp worse. Failures cluster in steering, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: steering, recorded in 9.0% of tests against 4.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, tread depth and brake pads — track rod end alone was recorded 472 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.7% in the 0-30k band and 28.0% in the 90-120k band, a 18.3-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 23.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 6.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steering | 9.0% | 333 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.8% | 177 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.5% | 130 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.1% | 77 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 51 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.4% | 50 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 472 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 73 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 65 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 41 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 39 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 36 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 23.2% | 857 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.9% | 772 |
| 3 | Steering | 9.4% | 349 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.9% | 291 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.7% | 137 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.1% | 76 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,234 | 9.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,982 | 19.4% |
| 60-90k | 431 | 23.7% |
| 90-120k | 50 | 28.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 649 | 6.6% |
| 2022 | 715 | 12.9% |
| 2023 | 776 | 21.1% |
| 2024 | 779 | 20.5% |
| 2025 | 778 | 20.8% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Arona
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: steering accounted for 9.0% of tests. Start there.
- Steering (9.0% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Tyres (4.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (3.5% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2017 SEAT Aronas pass their MOT?
83.2% of the 3,697 2017 SEAT Arona MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 SEAT Arona?
Steering, recorded in 9.0% of tests, followed by tyres (4.8%).
Does the 2017 Arona get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.7% in the 0-30k band to 28.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,697 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.