2018 SEAT Arona diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 SEAT Arona diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 SEAT Arona diesel than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Track rod ends12.3× usual
  SEAT Arona

  14.8% All 2018 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.8%, against 0.6% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Brake discs1.9× usual
  SEAT Arona

  18.7% All 2018 cars

  9.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.5% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

• Braking performance2.4× usual
  SEAT Arona

  2.9% All 2018 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.4% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Common 2018 SEAT Arona diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 SEAT Arona diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  32% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  27% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  17% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  6% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  4% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Seats and seatbelts
  4% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2018 SEAT Arona diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Seatbelt, airbag and parking brake recalls

  All engines

  Recalls covered rear seatbelt buckles that might not latch (2018 and 2020), driver’s airbags inflating too slowly (2019) and the parking brake going out of adjustment (2019).

  At the viewing: Ask a SEAT dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: Auto Express: used SEAT Arona (Mk1, 2017 on) review

• Front Assist faults

  All engines

  Some owners have had problems with the Front Assist emergency braking, from a faulty sensor or bad weather.

  At the viewing: Make sure no driver-aid warnings show.

  Source: Auto Express: used SEAT Arona (Mk1, 2017 on) review

• Dashboard rattle

  All engines

  A rattle from the passenger side of the dashboard is not unusual.

  At the viewing: Listen on a rough road.

  Source: Auto Express: used SEAT Arona (Mk1, 2017 on) review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 SEAT Arona diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Have the seatbelt and airbag recalls been done?
2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 12.3× as often on the 2018 SEAT Arona diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2018 SEAT Arona diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2018 SEAT Arona diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?