2021 SEAT Tarraco — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,213 MOT tests, the 2021 SEAT Tarraco recorded an 89.6% pass rate. That is 1.6 percentage points worse than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 8.8%. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.9%) and brakes (3.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, tread depth and headlamp aim — brake pads alone was recorded 40 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.2% in the 0-30k band and 15.7% in the 60-90k band, a 6.5-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 24.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.9% | 47 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.5% | 43 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 30 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.0% | 24 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.1% | 14 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 11 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 40 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 32 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 24 |
| 4 | Wipers | 19 |
| 5 | Brake discs | 12 |
| 6 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 10 |
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 | 24.3% | 295 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.7% | 227 |
| 3 | Other defects | 10.1% | 123 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.3% | 40 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 30 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.5% | 6 |
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 | 481 | 9.2% |
| 30-60k | 605 | 10.3% |
| 60-90k | 102 | 15.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 801 | 11.0% |
| Diesel | 412 | 9.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 42 | 9.5% |
| 2024 | 581 | 10.2% |
| 2025 | 582 | 10.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Tarraco
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 3.9% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (3.9% 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.
- Brakes (3.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.5% 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 2021 SEAT Tarracos pass their MOT?
89.6% of the 1,213 2021 SEAT Tarraco MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 SEAT Tarraco?
Tyres, recorded in 3.9% of tests, followed by brakes (3.5%).
Does the 2021 Tarraco get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.2% in the 0-30k band to 15.7% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,213 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.