2004 SEAT Arosa — MOT failures & pass rate
4,494 MOT tests on the 2004 SEAT Arosa are in this dataset, and 72.1% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.7%, so the 2004 Arosa sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.1% of all tests — 3.2 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, exhaust system and catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 423 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.6% in the 0-30k band and 34.4% in the 150k+ band, a 19.8-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 722 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.9% | 580 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.7% | 435 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.3% | 419 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.5% | 381 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.8% | 304 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 423 |
| 2 | Exhaust system | 241 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 221 |
| 4 | Wipers | 216 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 214 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 202 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 36.7% | 1,649 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.5% | 1,552 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.8% | 1,250 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.1% | 904 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 716 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.2% | 685 |
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 | 260 | 14.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,235 | 23.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,709 | 30.0% |
| 90-120k | 997 | 32.0% |
| 120-150k | 226 | 31.0% |
| 150k+ | 61 | 34.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,250 | 29.0% |
| 2022 | 1,038 | 27.8% |
| 2023 | 858 | 26.8% |
| 2024 | 736 | 26.9% |
| 2025 | 612 | 28.4% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Arosa
On a 2004 Arosa, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (9.7% 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 2004 SEAT Arosas pass their MOT?
72.1% of the 4,494 2004 SEAT Arosa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 SEAT Arosa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.1% of tests, followed by suspension (12.9%).
Does the 2004 Arosa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.6% in the 0-30k band to 34.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,494 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.