2005 SEAT Cordoba — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 265 MOT tests, the 2005 SEAT Cordoba recorded a 72.1% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.5% of tests against 12.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and track rod end — position lamp alone was recorded 25 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2005 Cordoba fails 30.0% of the time in the 60-90k band and 30.9% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.0 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 34.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 28.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 32.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.5% | 57 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.4% | 33 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.7% | 31 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 22 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.5% | 20 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.8% | 18 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 25 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 24 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 23 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 21 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 14 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 14 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 34.0% | 90 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.6% | 89 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 25.3% | 67 |
| 4 | Tyres | 23.0% | 61 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.9% | 50 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.5% | 41 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 60 | 30.0% |
| 90-120k | 70 | 27.1% |
| 120-150k | 84 | 28.6% |
| 150k+ | 42 | 30.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 180 | 28.3% |
| Petrol | 85 | 27.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 85 | 28.2% |
| 2022 | 63 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 48 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 38 | 23.7% |
| 2025 | 31 | 32.3% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Cordoba
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 21.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (21.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.4% 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.
- Suspension (11.7% 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.
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 2005 SEAT Cordobas pass their MOT?
72.1% of the 265 2005 SEAT Cordoba MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 SEAT Cordoba?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.5% of tests, followed by brakes (12.4%).
Does the 2005 Cordoba get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.0% in the 60-90k band to 30.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 265 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.