2014 Seat Ibiza — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 123,731 MOT tests analysed for the 2014 Seat Ibiza, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 78.7% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (80.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.4% in the 150k+ group versus 9.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.9% | 13,546 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.3% | 10,275 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.1% | 8,754 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.6% | 8,101 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.8% | 7,172 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.1% | 2,653 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 6,386 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 6,277 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 5,116 |
| 4 | Washers | 4,860 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 4,200 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 3,693 |
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 | 28.1% | 34,806 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.6% | 30,462 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.2% | 26,185 |
| 4 | Other defects | 14.1% | 17,469 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 5.3% | 6,558 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.3% | 6,533 |
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 | 6,909 | 9.9% |
| 30-60k | 43,963 | 17.9% |
| 60-90k | 49,661 | 23.1% |
| 90-120k | 18,635 | 26.7% |
| 120-150k | 3,757 | 29.5% |
| 150k+ | 794 | 31.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 116,405 | 21.2% |
| Diesel | 7,326 | 23.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 24,325 | 17.4% |
| 2022 | 24,638 | 19.1% |
| 2023 | 25,099 | 22.1% |
| 2024 | 25,074 | 23.6% |
| 2025 | 24,595 | 24.2% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Ibiza
Before buying a 2014 Seat Ibiza, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 10.9% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (10.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.3% 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 (7.1% 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 2014 Seat Ibizas pass their MOT?
78.7% of the 123,731 2014 Seat Ibiza MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Seat Ibiza?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.9% of tests, followed by suspension (8.3%).
Does the 2014 Ibiza get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.9% in the 0-30k band to 31.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 123,731 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.