2020 SEAT Arona diesel: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the diesel SEAT Arona first registered in 2020 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 889 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Common 2020 SEAT Arona diesel MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2020 SEAT Arona diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres26% 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.
- Brakes17% 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.
- Lights and electrics4% 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 mirrors3% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Suspension3% 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.
- Seats and seatbelts2% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
Known faults on the 2020 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.
- All engines
Seatbelt, airbag and parking brake recalls
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.
- All engines
Front Assist faults
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.
- All engines
Dashboard rattle
A rattle from the passenger side of the dashboard is not unusual.
At the viewing: Listen on a rough road.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 SEAT Arona diesel
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Have the seatbelt and airbag recalls been done?
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a SEAT Arona?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the SEAT Arona compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 766 | Tyres 16% |
| 2022 | 7,070 | Tyres 18% |
| 2021 | 23,652 | Brakes 23% |
| 2019 | 43,606 | Tyres 29% |
| 2018 | 35,709 | Tyres 29% |
| 2017 | 1,846 | Suspension 30% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of SEAT Arona cars first registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score