What are the most common problems with a 2002 SEAT Ibiza petrol?

The biggest MOT weak spot is exhaust emissions (catalyst): flagged on 7% of tests, 2.3× the rate for all 2002 cars, followed by engine warning light (4.9%).

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 2002 SEAT Ibiza petrol?

Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2002 SEAT Ibiza petrol as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2002 SEAT Ibiza petrol as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

2002 SEAT Ibiza petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol SEAT Ibiza first registered in 2002 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 833 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

833MOTs of 2002 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025

54%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 58%)

3,800typical miles a year

2.3×the usual rate for exhaust emissions (catalyst)

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

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

Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.3× usual

SEAT Ibiza
7% All 2002 cars
3.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 3% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.
Engine warning light2.6× usual

SEAT Ibiza
4.9% All 2002 cars
1.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 1.9% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 5.6% here, against 18.2% of all 2002 cars. Ball joint: 3% here, against 6% of all 2002 cars.

Common 2002 SEAT Ibiza petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

Suspension

44% 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.
Tyres

35% 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.
Lights and electrics

34% 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

29% 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.
Exhaust and emissions

21% 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.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

17% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

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

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

Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2002 SEAT Ibiza petrol as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2002 SEAT Ibiza petrol as on other cars the same age.)
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

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2026	–	Too new for MOT data
2025	–	Too new for MOT data
2024	–	Too new for MOT data
2023	557	Tyres 17%
2022	5,518	Tyres 22%
2021	16,948	Tyres 24%
2020	24,553	Tyres 27%
2019	38,757	Tyres 28%
2018	38,349	Tyres 31%
2017	47,088	Tyres 33%
2016	54,450	Tyres 35%
2015	53,602	Tyres 35%
2014	57,914	Suspension 37%
2013	48,762	Suspension 40%
2012	40,369	Suspension 40%
2011	41,238	Suspension 47%
2010	31,437	Suspension 49%
2009	26,411	Suspension 54%
2008	16,204	Suspension 49%
2007	11,583	Suspension 48%
2006	8,209	Suspension 45%
2005	4,484	Suspension 50%
2004	3,612	Suspension 45%
2003	2,754	Suspension 45%
2001	437	Suspension 41%
2000	210	Suspension 38%
1999	248	Lights and electrics 40%
1998	187	Brakes 36%
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 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score