Used car guide

1998 SEAT Ibiza: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the SEAT Ibiza first registered in 1998: we looked at the 187 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 187 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

187MOTs of 1998 cars, done in 2023–2025
65%pass first time (all 1998 cars: 65%)
3,200typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for wheel bearings

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1998 SEAT Ibiza?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1998 SEAT Ibiza than on all cars registered in 1998.

  • Wheel bearings3.1× usual
    SEAT Ibiza
    19.3% All 1998 cars
    6.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 1% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

Common 1998 SEAT Ibiza MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1998 SEAT Ibiza MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    36% 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
    36% 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
    33% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    22% 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
    20% 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 engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1998 SEAT Ibiza

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

  1. Any recent work on the wheel bearings? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 1998 SEAT Ibiza as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a SEAT Ibiza?

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 Ibiza compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023557Tyres 17%
20225,518Tyres 22%
202116,948Tyres 24%
202024,553Tyres 27%
201938,757Tyres 28%
201838,349Tyres 31%
201747,088Tyres 33%
201654,450Tyres 35%
201553,602Tyres 35%
201457,914Suspension 37%
201348,762Suspension 40%
201240,369Suspension 40%
201141,238Suspension 47%
201031,437Suspension 49%
200926,411Suspension 54%
200816,204Suspension 49%
200711,583Suspension 48%
20068,209Suspension 45%
20054,484Suspension 50%
20043,612Suspension 45%
20032,754Suspension 45%
2002947Suspension 44%
2001437Suspension 41%
2000210Suspension 38%
1999248Lights and electrics 40%
1997–Too few tests
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests
1994–Too few tests
1993–Too few tests
1992–Too few tests
1991–Too few tests
1990–Too few tests
1989–Too few tests

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 Ibiza cars first registered in 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score