2023 SEAT Ibiza — MOT failures & pass rate
602 MOT tests on the 2023 SEAT Ibiza are in this dataset, and 92.4% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 5.0% of the time, so this is 2.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and seat belts & restraints.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (3.6%) and tyres (3.6%) 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 brake pads — headlamp aim alone was recorded 26 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 13.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 3.6% | 22 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.6% | 22 |
| 3 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.2% | 13 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.8% | 11 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.3% | 8 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.2% | 1 |
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 | 26 |
| 2 | Washers | 10 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 7 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 4 |
| 5 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 4 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 3 |
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 | 13.1% | 79 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.5% | 39 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.8% | 29 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.2% | 13 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 0.5% | 3 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 3 |
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 | 516 | 7.4% |
| 30-60k | 81 | 8.6% |
What to check before buying a 2023 Ibiza
On a 2023 Ibiza, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (3.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (3.6% 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.
- Seat belts & restraints (2.2% of tests): Belt damage or faulty pretensioners — usually straightforward but safety-critical. Typical repair: £50–£300.
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 2023 SEAT Ibizas pass their MOT?
92.4% of the 602 2023 SEAT Ibiza MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 SEAT Ibiza?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 3.6% of tests, followed by tyres (3.6%).
Does the 2023 Ibiza get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.4% in the 0-30k band to 8.6% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 602 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.