SEAT Arona MOT pass rate and common problems
88.4% of 77,385 SEAT Arona MOT tests pass.
The Arona passes its MOT 88.4% of the time — well above the average across all SEAT models, which sits at 80.3%.
The SEAT Arona passes its MOT 88.4% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this SEAT Arona?
This is the average across every SEAT Arona in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your SEAT’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 91.5% at 0–3 years to 79.4% at 6–10 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 91.5% | 14,463 | 22,434 miles |
| 3–6 years | 88.6% | 56,790 | 32,419 miles |
| 6–10 years | 79.4% | 6,132 | 45,225 miles |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the SEAT Arona
The most common reason the SEAT Arona fails its MOT is brakes — present in 37.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Less than 1.5 mm thick".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 37.6% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 36.1% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Steering | 18.4% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 15.7% | Too high |
| Visibility | 11.4% | Not working |
| Suspension | 4.3% | Fractured or broken |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.2% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.6% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Road Wheels | 1.1% | Fixing missing |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.0% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used SEAT Arona: what to check
These checks follow the SEAT Arona’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the SEAT Arona comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 88.6% to 79.4%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 92.2% down to 84.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Brakes
Recorded in 37.6% of failed SEAT Arona MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 36.1% of failed SEAT Arona MOTs. 8.0% of tests at 6–10 years failed on tyres, against 3.0% at 0–3 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
3. Steering
Recorded in 18.4% of failed SEAT Arona MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 12.2% of tests at 6–10 years failed on steering.
The steering should feel precise, without knocks or play, and the car should run straight. Turn to full lock both ways and listen for clunks.
4. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 15.7% of failed SEAT Arona MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 11.4% of failed SEAT Arona MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check SEAT service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related SEAT models
- SEAT Ibiza — 73.9% pass rate
- SEAT Leon — 82.8% pass rate
- SEAT Ateca — 91.3% pass rate
- SEAT Alhambra — 78.9% pass rate
- SEAT Mii — 83.3% pass rate
- SEAT Altea — 66.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the SEAT Arona?
- 88.4% of SEAT Arona MOT tests pass, based on 77,385 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the SEAT Arona?
- The most common reason the SEAT Arona fails its MOT is brakes — present in 37.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Less than 1.5 mm thick".
- What are the common problems with the SEAT Arona?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the SEAT Arona are brakes; tyres; steering.
- What should I check when buying a used SEAT Arona?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: brakes; tyres; steering; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the SEAT Arona's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the SEAT service history guide for how to check and keep one.