2012 SEAT Ibiza — MOT failures & pass rate
89,986 MOT tests on the 2012 SEAT Ibiza are in this dataset, and 76.2% of them passed. That is 1.2 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 22.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.3%) and suspension (10.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, washers and pins and bushes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 4,532 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.9% in the 0-30k band and 28.7% in the 150k+ band, a 17.8-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.0pp more often than petrol ones (25.4% vs 23.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 29.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 21.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 9,252 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.1% | 9,100 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.9% | 8,037 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.4% | 5,763 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.6% | 5,077 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 4,157 |
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 | 4,532 |
| 2 | Washers | 3,758 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 3,748 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 3,586 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 3,463 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 3,458 |
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 | 29.4% | 26,479 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.2% | 23,582 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.9% | 18,846 |
| 4 | Other defects | 14.4% | 12,919 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.2% | 8,308 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 6,551 |
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 | 1,927 | 10.9% |
| 30-60k | 17,730 | 17.7% |
| 60-90k | 37,041 | 23.8% |
| 90-120k | 24,430 | 27.5% |
| 120-150k | 7,202 | 28.5% |
| 150k+ | 1,633 | 28.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 69,485 | 23.3% |
| Diesel | 20,501 | 25.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 18,749 | 21.4% |
| 2022 | 18,449 | 22.0% |
| 2023 | 18,444 | 24.5% |
| 2024 | 17,601 | 25.4% |
| 2025 | 16,743 | 26.2% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Ibiza
On a 2012 Ibiza, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.1% 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 (8.9% 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 2012 SEAT Ibizas pass their MOT?
76.2% of the 89,986 2012 SEAT Ibiza MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 SEAT Ibiza?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.3% of tests, followed by suspension (10.1%).
Does the 2012 Ibiza get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.9% in the 0-30k band to 28.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 89,986 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.