1998 SEAT Ibiza — MOT failures & pass rate
474 MOT tests on the 1998 SEAT Ibiza are in this dataset, and 76.6% of them passed. Against superminis of a similar age (29.3% fail rate), the 1998 Ibiza comes out 5.8pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.0% of all tests — 5.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, wipers and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 27 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.2% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 28.6% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 24.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 71 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.7% | 46 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.3% | 44 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.6% | 36 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.5% | 31 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.5% | 31 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 27 |
| 2 | Wipers | 26 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 25 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 24 |
| 5 | Individual direction indicators | 21 |
| 6 | Wheel bearings | 21 |
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 | 37.1% | 176 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.0% | 147 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 20.0% | 95 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.6% | 93 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.5% | 83 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.5% | 64 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 129 | 20.2% |
| 60-90k | 127 | 24.4% |
| 90-120k | 93 | 21.5% |
| 120-150k | 65 | 30.8% |
| 150k+ | 42 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 421 | 23.0% |
| Diesel | 53 | 26.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 123 | 24.4% |
| 2022 | 102 | 20.6% |
| 2023 | 92 | 18.5% |
| 2024 | 85 | 27.1% |
| 2025 | 72 | 27.8% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Ibiza
On a 1998 Ibiza, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.7% 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.
- Brakes (9.3% 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 1998 SEAT Ibizas pass their MOT?
76.6% of the 474 1998 SEAT Ibiza MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 SEAT Ibiza?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.0% of tests, followed by suspension (9.7%).
Does the 1998 Ibiza get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.2% in the 30-60k band to 28.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 474 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.