2001 SEAT Ibiza — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,324 MOT tests, the 2001 SEAT Ibiza recorded a 74.5% pass rate. That is 3.9 percentage points better than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 29.5%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.2% of all tests — 4.1 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 67 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 27.7% versus 10.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 31.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 26.3% in 2021 to 23.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 175 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.1% | 121 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.8% | 117 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.8% | 103 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.2% | 96 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.3% | 84 |
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 | 67 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 62 |
| 3 | Wipers | 57 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 50 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 48 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 46 |
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 | 31.4% | 416 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.4% | 402 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.3% | 362 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.7% | 274 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.9% | 237 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.9% | 184 |
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 | 48 | 10.4% |
| 30-60k | 242 | 23.1% |
| 60-90k | 385 | 27.8% |
| 90-120k | 331 | 24.5% |
| 120-150k | 213 | 28.2% |
| 150k+ | 101 | 27.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,220 | 25.3% |
| Diesel | 104 | 28.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 445 | 26.3% |
| 2022 | 322 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 222 | 22.5% |
| 2024 | 183 | 27.3% |
| 2025 | 152 | 23.0% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Ibiza
On a 2001 Ibiza, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.1% 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 (8.8% 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 2001 SEAT Ibizas pass their MOT?
74.5% of the 1,324 2001 SEAT Ibiza MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 SEAT Ibiza?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.2% of tests, followed by suspension (9.1%).
Does the 2001 Ibiza get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.4% in the 0-30k band to 27.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,324 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.