2020 SEAT Ibiza — MOT failures & pass rate
27,582 MOT tests on the 2020 SEAT Ibiza are in this dataset, and 90.6% of them passed. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (8.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.1%) 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 798 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2020 Ibiza fails 6.8% of the time in the 0-30k band and 6.5% at 120-150k, a spread of only 0.3 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 6.1% of tests failed in 2022 against 10.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.1% | 1,400 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.5% | 686 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.2% | 616 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.2% | 611 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.8% | 233 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 214 |
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 | 798 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 590 |
| 3 | Washers | 571 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 523 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 182 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 173 |
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 | 22.2% | 6,124 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.5% | 3,725 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.3% | 1,470 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.2% | 598 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.9% | 531 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.9% | 519 |
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 | 14,869 | 6.8% |
| 30-60k | 11,167 | 12.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,348 | 15.3% |
| 90-120k | 148 | 18.2% |
| 120-150k | 31 | 6.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 27,387 | 9.4% |
| Diesel | 195 | 14.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 475 | 6.1% |
| 2023 | 9,112 | 8.3% |
| 2024 | 8,988 | 9.8% |
| 2025 | 8,990 | 10.4% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Ibiza
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.1% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.1% 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.
- Brakes (2.2% 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 2020 SEAT Ibizas pass their MOT?
90.6% of the 27,582 2020 SEAT Ibiza MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 SEAT Ibiza?
Tyres, recorded in 5.1% of tests, followed by visibility (2.5%).
Does the 2020 Ibiza get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.8% in the 0-30k band to 6.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 27,582 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.