Part of the SEAT Ibiza Mk5 (2017–2024) guide: best and worst years compared.

Used car guide

2021 SEAT Ibiza: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the SEAT Ibiza first registered in 2021: we looked at the 16,948 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

16,948MOTs of 2021 cars, done in 2023–2025
88%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
7,400typical miles a year
1.6×the usual rate for brake discs

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2021 SEAT Ibiza?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2021 SEAT Ibiza than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Brake discs1.6× usual
    SEAT Ibiza
    9.6% All 2021 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.3% of all 2021 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.

Common 2021 SEAT Ibiza MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 SEAT Ibiza MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    24% 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
    15% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

  • Suspension
    2% 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.

Known faults on the 2021 SEAT Ibiza

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.

  • Infotainment and electrical faults

    All engines

    In What Car?'s survey 32% had a fault: nearly half infotainment, plus engine, electrical and exhaust faults and warning lights.

    At the viewing: Use the screen and check for warning lights.

    Source: What Car?: used SEAT Ibiza (2017 on) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 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 brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2021 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%
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%
1998187Brakes 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 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score