2002 SEAT Arosa petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2002 SEAT Arosa petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2002 SEAT Arosa petrol than on all cars registered in 2002.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.1× usual
  SEAT Arosa

  17.5% All 2002 cars

  8.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.9% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Exhaust system1.8× usual
  SEAT Arosa

  18.2% All 2002 cars

  9.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.8% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2× usual
  SEAT Arosa

  13.5% All 2002 cars

  6.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 3.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Transmission oil leaks3.6× usual
  SEAT Arosa

  6.2% All 2002 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes2.8× usual
  SEAT Arosa

  6.5% All 2002 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.5% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Common 2002 SEAT Arosa petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2002 SEAT Arosa petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  49% 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
  36% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  33% 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.

• Tyres
  31% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  22% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Exhaust and emissions
  20% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2002 SEAT Arosa petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2002 SEAT Arosa petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2002 SEAT Arosa petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2002 SEAT Arosa petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?