2014 SEAT Toledo diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2014 SEAT Toledo diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2014 SEAT Toledo diesel than on all cars registered in 2014.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints5.3× usual
  SEAT Toledo

  11.6% All 2014 cars

  2.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 1.3% of all 2014 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.

• Shock absorbers2.7× usual
  SEAT Toledo

  13.7% All 2014 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.1% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Engine oil leaks3.2× usual
  SEAT Toledo

  9.9% All 2014 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.1% of all 2014 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
  SEAT Toledo

  12.3% All 2014 cars

  6.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.4% of all 2014 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints3.2× usual
  SEAT Toledo

  4.5% All 2014 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.5% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Common 2014 SEAT Toledo diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2014 SEAT Toledo diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  38% 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
  32% 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
  31% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  21% 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
  12% 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
  11% 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 2014 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 drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.3× as often on the 2014 SEAT Toledo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2014 SEAT Toledo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2014 SEAT Toledo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?