2001 SEAT Toledo — MOT failures & pass rate
399 MOT tests on the 2001 SEAT Toledo are in this dataset, and 71.9% of them passed. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 27.9%, so the 2001 Toledo sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.5%) and suspension (14.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, pins and bushes and track rod end — headlamp aim alone was recorded 36 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.0% in the 60-90k band and 26.1% in the 150k+ band, a 4.1-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 46.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.8% in 2021 to 26.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 62 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.0% | 56 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.3% | 41 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.5% | 26 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.5% | 26 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.8% | 23 |
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 | 36 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 25 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 21 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 20 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 19 |
| 6 | Wipers | 19 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 46.9% | 187 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.6% | 150 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.6% | 114 |
| 4 | Other defects | 21.1% | 84 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 50 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.5% | 46 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 50 | 22.0% |
| 90-120k | 103 | 32.0% |
| 120-150k | 105 | 29.5% |
| 150k+ | 134 | 26.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 211 | 27.5% |
| Diesel | 188 | 28.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 125 | 32.8% |
| 2022 | 101 | 25.7% |
| 2023 | 76 | 25.0% |
| 2024 | 59 | 27.1% |
| 2025 | 38 | 26.3% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Toledo
On a 2001 Toledo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.0% 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 (10.3% 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 2001 SEAT Toledos pass their MOT?
71.9% of the 399 2001 SEAT Toledo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 SEAT Toledo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.5% of tests, followed by suspension (14.0%).
Does the 2001 Toledo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.0% in the 60-90k band to 26.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 399 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.