2002 SEAT Ibiza — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,003 MOT tests, the 2002 SEAT Ibiza recorded a 71.1% pass rate. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (29.4% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.4%) and suspension (13.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and coil spring — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 238 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 22.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 28.4% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 31.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.4% | 462 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.7% | 411 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.8% | 265 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.6% | 259 |
| 5 | Brakes | 8.0% | 240 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.9% | 207 |
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 | 238 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 188 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 164 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 154 |
| 5 | Wipers | 153 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 139 |
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 | 31.5% | 945 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.1% | 905 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.6% | 800 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.3% | 520 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.6% | 467 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 447 |
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 | 83 | 22.9% |
| 30-60k | 519 | 27.9% |
| 60-90k | 915 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 810 | 31.9% |
| 120-150k | 362 | 27.9% |
| 150k+ | 303 | 28.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,615 | 29.1% |
| Diesel | 388 | 27.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,029 | 29.3% |
| 2022 | 738 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 559 | 28.6% |
| 2024 | 390 | 28.2% |
| 2025 | 287 | 29.6% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Ibiza
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.7% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (8.8% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2002 SEAT Ibizas pass their MOT?
71.1% of the 3,003 2002 SEAT Ibiza MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 SEAT Ibiza?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.4% of tests, followed by suspension (13.7%).
Does the 2002 Ibiza get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.9% in the 0-30k band to 28.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,003 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.