MOT performance
SEAT Ibiza KJ (2017 on): MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 89,840 MOT tests on the SEAT Ibiza KJ in 2023–2024 (cars first registered Aug 2017 onwards, on average 4 years old at test), 81.8% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, the KJ failed 23% more often than comparable cars. Against the generation before it, the 6J, it fails 7% more often once age and mileage are allowed for (1.23× vs 1.14×).
89,840 MOT tests on 48,071 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 81.8% | ±0.3 pts (95%), n = 89,840 |
| All SEAT Ibizas | 66.0% | n = 388,964 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 1.23× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00; SEAT Ibiza overall 1.16× |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 5.5% | n = 89,840 |
| Average age at test | 4 years | n = 89,840 |
| On sale (catalogue) | 2017 on | Jun 2017 to now |
KJ 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 KJ differs
- Steering: the KJ failed 638% more often than the SEAT Ibiza overall, relative to comparable cars (12.49× vs 1.69×).
- Seat belts and airbags: the KJ failed 91% more often than the SEAT Ibiza overall, relative to comparable cars (2.14× vs 1.12×).
- Body, chassis and structure: the KJ failed 69% less often than the SEAT Ibiza overall, relative to comparable cars (0.42× vs 1.35×).
- Suspension: the KJ failed 36% less often than the SEAT Ibiza overall, relative to comparable cars (0.83× vs 1.29×).
| Area | 6J (vs similar) | KJ (vs similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 8.9% (+25%) | 5.8% (+13%) |
| Steering | 2.4% (+5%) | 4.8% (+1149%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 7.6% (+49%) | 3.4% (+2%) |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 13.4% (+1%) | 3.3% (-3%) |
| Brakes | 10.5% (+44%) | 2.8% (+2%) |
| Suspension | 14.7% (+33%) | 1.3% (-17%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.8% (+2%) | 0.8% (+15%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.8% (-5%) | 0.7% (+114%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 4.7% (+35%) | 0.2% (-58%) |
| Road wheels | 0.6% (+45%) | 0.2% (+8%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.4% (+13%) | 0.1% (-36%) |
Most common SEAT Ibiza KJ failure items
3 of these 5 items are not among the SEAT Ibiza's ten most common failures overall.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Steering | 3.79% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 2.53% |
| Washers: not working | Driver's view of the road | 1.77% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 1.50% |
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.46% |
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 KJ
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 KJ (Jun 2017 to now). 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 KJ
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.