Diesel SEAT Ibiza: MOT pass rate

64% of diesel SEAT Ibizas pass the MOT first time, measured across 18,246 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 108,280.

Diesel against the other SEAT Ibiza versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the SEAT Ibiza specifically, petrol is the strongest at 72.5%, and this diesel version sits 7.7 points below the 71.7% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The diesel SEAT Ibiza fails more often than the model average, so budget for the items that catch this fuel type and treat a fresh MOT as worth paying for. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel SEAT Ibiza had covered 108,280 miles at test, against 67,542 for the petrol. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the SEAT Ibiza page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel SEAT Ibiza

1. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 3.9% of tests (4.08x the national rate for this defect)
2. Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 3% of tests (3.98x the national rate for this defect)
3. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 4.4% of tests (3.37x the national rate for this defect)
4. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 3.3% of tests (3.18x the national rate for this defect)
5. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 3.8% of tests (2.98x the national rate for this defect)
6. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 4.6% of tests (2.97x the national rate for this defect)
7. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 4.8% of tests (2.59x the national rate for this defect)
8. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 3.7% of tests (2.19x the national rate for this defect)
9. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 5.1% of tests (2.18x the national rate for this defect)
10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 10.5% of tests (2.09x the national rate for this defect)

From 18,349 DVSA-tracked diesel SEAT Ibiza tests, 2024, split out from the SEAT Ibiza's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.39% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel SEAT Ibiza

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 12.7% of tests (3.25x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 6.1% of tests (3.04x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 3.2% of tests (2.37x the national rate for this defect)
4. Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution., 1.8% of tests (2.08x the national rate for this defect)
5. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 22.7% of tests (1.7x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 20.8% of tests (1.7x the national rate for this defect)
7. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 4.5% of tests (1.69x the national rate for this defect)
8. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 7.2% of tests (1.52x the national rate for this defect)
9. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 7.8% of tests (1.4x the national rate for this defect)
10. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 35.1% of tests (1.32x the national rate for this defect)

From 18,349 DVSA-tracked diesel SEAT Ibiza tests, 2024.

Other SEAT Ibiza fuel types

• Petrol SEAT Ibiza - 72.5%

All SEAT Ibiza MOT data · Every model