2007 SEAT Ibiza — MOT failures & pass rate
32,684 MOT tests on the 2007 SEAT Ibiza are in this dataset, and 69.8% of them passed. That is 2.5 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 27.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 20.0% of all tests — 6.4 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and stop lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 3,192 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 32.0% once past 150k.
Split by fuel, petrol examples fail 1.6pp more often than diesel ones (30.4% vs 28.8%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 31.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.0% | 6,523 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.6% | 4,444 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.5% | 3,445 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.2% | 3,014 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.1% | 2,639 |
| 6 | Tyres | 7.5% | 2,448 |
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 | 3,192 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,693 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 2,289 |
| 4 | Washers | 1,894 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 1,769 |
| 6 | Joints | 1,524 |
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 | 31.2% | 10,203 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.4% | 9,275 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.0% | 8,170 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.8% | 5,476 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.0% | 4,903 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 4,599 |
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 | 368 | 17.1% |
| 30-60k | 3,235 | 24.2% |
| 60-90k | 9,669 | 28.5% |
| 90-120k | 11,552 | 32.0% |
| 120-150k | 5,786 | 32.7% |
| 150k+ | 2,031 | 32.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 27,654 | 30.4% |
| Diesel | 5,030 | 28.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,207 | 30.0% |
| 2022 | 7,718 | 29.8% |
| 2023 | 6,465 | 30.4% |
| 2024 | 5,267 | 30.9% |
| 2025 | 4,027 | 30.0% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Ibiza
On a 2007 Ibiza, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.6% 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 (10.5% 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 2007 SEAT Ibizas pass their MOT?
69.8% of the 32,684 2007 SEAT Ibiza MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 SEAT Ibiza?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.0% of tests, followed by suspension (13.6%).
Does the 2007 Ibiza get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 0-30k band to 32.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 32,684 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.