2019 SEAT Ibiza — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2019 SEAT Ibiza passed 90.3% of its 58,149 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (10.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.8%) and visibility (2.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and washers — tread depth alone was recorded 1,647 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.1% in the 0-30k band and 18.8% in the 120-150k band, a 12.7-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 9.6% fail against 13.2% for diesel, a 3.6-point gap across 58,149 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 4.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.8% | 2,761 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.5% | 1,468 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 1,406 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.9% | 1,099 |
| 5 | Steering | 1.1% | 641 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.8% | 475 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 1,647 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,386 |
| 3 | Washers | 1,201 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 828 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 725 |
| 6 | Wipers | 363 |
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 | 22.5% | 13,091 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.0% | 7,549 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.7% | 3,301 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.9% | 1,664 |
| 5 | Steering | 2.3% | 1,307 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.1% | 1,216 |
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 | 28,688 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 25,026 | 12.4% |
| 60-90k | 3,858 | 16.4% |
| 90-120k | 466 | 18.9% |
| 120-150k | 85 | 18.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 56,964 | 9.6% |
| Diesel | 1,185 | 13.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 587 | 4.9% |
| 2022 | 14,163 | 6.6% |
| 2023 | 14,360 | 8.8% |
| 2024 | 14,279 | 10.4% |
| 2025 | 14,760 | 12.9% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Ibiza
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.8% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (2.5% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (2.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2019 SEAT Ibizas pass their MOT?
90.3% of the 58,149 2019 SEAT Ibiza MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 SEAT Ibiza?
Tyres, recorded in 4.8% of tests, followed by visibility (2.5%).
Does the 2019 Ibiza get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 18.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 58,149 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.