Diesel SEAT Tarraco: MOT pass rate

87.5% of diesel SEAT Tarracos pass the MOT first time, measured across 3,523 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 44,713.

Diesel against the other SEAT Tarraco 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 Tarraco specifically, diesel is the strongest at 87.5%, and this diesel version sits 0.5 points above the 87% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. 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 Tarraco had covered 44,713 miles at test, against 38,513 for the petrol. That is below average for a car this age, worth a mileage-consistency check since an unusually low reading is sometimes clocking rather than luck.

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 Tarraco page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel SEAT Tarraco

1. An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction, 1.7% of tests (4.16x the national rate for this defect)
2. Brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator, 0.6% of tests (3.13x the national rate for this defect)
3. A suspension pin, bush or joint likely to become detached, 0.5% of tests (2.15x the national rate for this defect)
4. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 1.6% of tests (1.26x the national rate for this defect)
5. A tyre seriously damaged, 2.6% of tests
6. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 2.6% of tests
7. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 2.3% of tests
8. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 1.6% of tests
9. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 1.2% of tests
10. Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 0.8% of tests

From 3,536 DVSA-tracked diesel SEAT Tarraco tests, 2024, split out from the SEAT Tarraco's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 6.54% 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 Tarraco

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

1. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 14.8% of tests (1.59x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 4.9% of tests (1.26x the national rate for this defect)
3. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 3.9% of tests (1.22x the national rate for this defect)
4. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 29.7% of tests, also fails
5. A tyre seriously damaged, 16.6% of tests, also fails
6. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 12.6% of tests
7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 7.1% of tests, also fails
8. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 1.3% of tests
9. Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution., 0.6% of tests
10. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 0.3% of tests

From 3,536 DVSA-tracked diesel SEAT Tarraco tests, 2024.

Other SEAT Tarraco fuel types

• Petrol SEAT Tarraco - 86.5%

All SEAT Tarraco MOT data · Every model