2014 SEAT Ibiza — MOT failures & pass rate
123,736 MOT tests on the 2014 SEAT Ibiza are in this dataset, and 78.7% of them passed. That is 1.9 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 19.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.9%) and suspension (8.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, headlamp aim and tread depth — pins and bushes alone was recorded 6,386 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.9% in the 0-30k band and 31.4% in the 150k+ band, a 21.5-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.8pp more often than petrol ones (23.0% vs 21.2%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 28.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 17.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.9% | 13,547 |
| 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% | 34,807 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.6% | 30,463 |
| 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 | 43,964 | 17.9% |
| 60-90k | 49,665 | 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 | 116,410 | 21.2% |
| Diesel | 7,326 | 23.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 24,326 | 17.4% |
| 2022 | 24,639 | 19.1% |
| 2023 | 25,100 | 22.1% |
| 2024 | 25,075 | 23.6% |
| 2025 | 24,596 | 24.2% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Ibiza
On a 2014 Ibiza, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 123,736 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 123,736 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.