SEAT Tarraco MOT pass rate and common problems
88.9% of 12,536 SEAT Tarraco MOT tests pass.
The Tarraco passes its MOT 88.9% of the time — well above the average across all SEAT models, which sits at 80.3%.
The SEAT Tarraco passes its MOT 88.9% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this SEAT Tarraco?
This is the average across every SEAT Tarraco 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 eases gradually with age, from 92.1% at 0–3 years to 88.4% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 92.1% | 1,664 | 31,356 miles |
| 3–6 years | 88.4% | 10,872 | 41,170 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the SEAT Tarraco
The most common reason the SEAT Tarraco fails its MOT is tyres — present in 41.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 41.2% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Brakes | 24.1% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 18.2% | Too high |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 12.9% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Visibility | 10.6% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Suspension | 9.5% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.0% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.8% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.7% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Road Wheels | 0.7% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used SEAT Tarraco: what to check
These checks follow the SEAT Tarraco’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 Tarraco comes between 0–3 years and 3–6 years old, from 92.1% to 88.4%. 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: 91.4% down to 88.3%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 41.2% of failed SEAT Tarraco MOTs.
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.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 24.1% of failed SEAT Tarraco 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.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 18.2% of failed SEAT Tarraco 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.
4. Seat belts and airbags
Recorded in 12.9% of failed SEAT Tarraco MOTs. 1.8% of tests at 3–6 years failed on seat belts and airbags, against 0.8% at 0–3 years.
Pull every seat belt out fully and let it retract. Check the buckles latch and release, and that the airbag warning light goes out after starting.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 10.6% of failed SEAT Tarraco 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 Alhambra — 78.9% pass rate
- SEAT Mii — 83.3% pass rate
- SEAT Altea — 66.7% pass rate
- SEAT Toledo — 74.3% pass rate
- SEAT Exeo — 72.6% pass rate
- SEAT Arosa — 68.6% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the SEAT Tarraco?
- 88.9% of SEAT Tarraco MOT tests pass, based on 12,536 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the SEAT Tarraco?
- The most common reason the SEAT Tarraco fails its MOT is tyres — present in 41.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the SEAT Tarraco?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the SEAT Tarraco are tyres; brakes; lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used SEAT Tarraco?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; brakes; lights and electrics; seat belts and airbags; 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 Tarraco'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.