2004 Seat Ibiza — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 11,069 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Seat Ibiza, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 69.6% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (70.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.5% in the 150k+ group versus 16.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 1,943 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.9% | 1,540 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.4% | 1,154 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.8% | 1,088 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.9% | 989 |
| 6 | Visibility | 8.3% | 915 |
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 | 787 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 711 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 708 |
| 4 | Joints | 675 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 653 |
| 6 | Washers | 556 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 30.7% | 3,400 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.9% | 3,093 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.4% | 2,587 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.2% | 2,237 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.7% | 2,069 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.2% | 1,573 |
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 | 244 | 16.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,592 | 24.8% |
| 60-90k | 3,371 | 30.3% |
| 90-120k | 3,434 | 32.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,588 | 32.0% |
| 150k+ | 826 | 31.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 9,497 | 30.5% |
| Diesel | 1,572 | 29.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,540 | 31.2% |
| 2022 | 2,679 | 30.1% |
| 2023 | 2,103 | 30.0% |
| 2024 | 1,579 | 30.0% |
| 2025 | 1,168 | 29.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Ibiza
Before buying a 2004 Seat Ibiza, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.9% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.4% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 Ibizas pass their MOT?
69.6% of the 11,069 2004 Seat Ibiza MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Seat Ibiza?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.5% of tests, followed by suspension (13.9%).
Does the 2004 Ibiza get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.4% in the 0-30k band to 31.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,069 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.