2005 SEAT Toledo diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 SEAT Toledo diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 SEAT Toledo diesel than on all cars registered in 2005.

• Tread depth1.7× usual
  SEAT Toledo

  36.2% All 2005 cars

  20.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 2.9% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual
  SEAT Toledo

  18.9% All 2005 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.4%, against 3.3% of all 2005 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.

• Coil springs2× usual
  SEAT Toledo

  20.6% All 2005 cars

  10.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.9%, against 2.9% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Sub-frame2.7× usual
  SEAT Toledo

  14.4% All 2005 cars

  5.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Braking performance2.1× usual
  SEAT Toledo

  15.4% All 2005 cars

  7.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Common 2005 SEAT Toledo diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 SEAT Toledo diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  57% 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.

• Brakes
  45% 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
  43% 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
  35% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Driveshafts and joints
  19% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  17% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 SEAT Toledo diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the tread depth? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2005 SEAT Toledo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2005 SEAT Toledo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2005 SEAT Toledo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?