MOT performance
SEAT Ibiza 6J (2008–2017): MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 252,721 MOT tests on the SEAT Ibiza 6J in 2023–2024 (cars first registered Aug 2008–Mar 2017, on average 10 years old at test), 62.2% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, the 6J failed 14% more often than comparable cars. Against the generation that replaced it, the KJ, it fails 7% less often once age and mileage are allowed for (1.14× vs 1.23×).
252,721 MOT tests on 128,204 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 62.2% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 252,721 |
| All SEAT Ibizas | 66.0% | n = 388,964 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 1.14× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00; SEAT Ibiza overall 1.16× |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 10.3% | n = 252,721 |
| Average age at test | 10 years | n = 252,721 |
| On sale (catalogue) | 2008–2017 | Jun 2008 to May 2017 |
6J against the other SEAT Ibiza generations
Newer generations are younger at test, so their raw pass rates are higher almost by default; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Generation | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars | Dangerous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6J (2008–2017) | 252,721 | 10 yrs | 62.2% | +14% | 10.3% |
| KJ (2017 on) | 89,840 | 4 yrs | 81.8% | +23% | 5.5% |
Where the 6J differs
- Steering: the 6J failed 38% less often than the SEAT Ibiza overall, relative to comparable cars (1.05× vs 1.69×).
| Area | 6J (vs similar) | KJ (vs similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 14.7% (+33%) | 1.3% (-17%) |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 13.4% (+1%) | 3.3% (-3%) |
| Brakes | 10.5% (+44%) | 2.8% (+2%) |
| Tyres | 8.9% (+25%) | 5.8% (+13%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 7.6% (+49%) | 3.4% (+2%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 4.7% (+35%) | 0.2% (-58%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.8% (+2%) | 0.8% (+15%) |
| Steering | 2.4% (+5%) | 4.8% (+1149%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.8% (-5%) | 0.7% (+114%) |
| Road wheels | 0.6% (+45%) | 0.2% (+8%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.4% (+13%) | 0.1% (-36%) |
Most common SEAT Ibiza 6J failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 4.96% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 3.85% |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 3.11% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 2.90% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 2.70% |
Pass rate by age, by generation
At the same age, the generations can be compared directly.
| Age at test (years) | 6J pass rate (tests) | KJ pass rate (tests) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | — | 85.6% (43,002) |
| 5-6 | 71.8% (14,055) | 74.7% (32,836) |
| 7-8 | 67.5% (66,605) | 71.4% (1,114) |
| 9-10 | 62.4% (70,390) | — |
| 11-12 | 59.6% (55,757) | — |
| 13-15 | 54.5% (45,448) | — |
| 16+ | 48.9% (466) | — |
Registration years in the 6J
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 4,834 | 50.2% |
| 2009 | 18,769 | 53.5% |
| 2010 | 22,048 | 56.5% |
| 2011 | 28,595 | 59.2% |
| 2012 | 27,740 | 60.8% |
| 2013 | 33,184 | 61.2% |
| 2014 | 39,312 | 63.7% |
| 2015 | 36,295 | 66.1% |
| 2016 | 36,806 | 69.3% |
| 2017 | 5,138 | 69.5% |
Year pages cover every SEAT Ibiza registered that year, including any of another generation.
How cars are assigned to a generation
DVSA records don't say which generation a car is, so 73 Auto assigns each test by first-registration date against its catalogue's on-sale dates for the 6J (Jun 2008 to May 2017). Cars registered within three months either side of a changeover are left out, because run-out stock of the old model and early cars of the new one are registered in the same months. Some cars near the edges may still be of the neighbouring generation.
Check a specific SEAT Ibiza 6J
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.