2016 SEAT Toledo diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 SEAT Toledo diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 SEAT Toledo diesel than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Engine oil leaks6.5× usual
  SEAT Toledo

  12.9% All 2016 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.1% of all 2016 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.

• Shock absorbers3.3× usual
  SEAT Toledo

  11.8% All 2016 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.8% of all 2016 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.6× usual
  SEAT Toledo

  12.1% All 2016 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints5× usual
  SEAT Toledo

  7% All 2016 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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.

• Engine warning light3.8× usual
  SEAT Toledo

  4.9% All 2016 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 1.3% of all 2016 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.

Common 2016 SEAT Toledo diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 SEAT Toledo diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  33% 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
  27% 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
  25% 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
  19% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  14% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% 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 2016 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 engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 6.5× as often on the 2016 SEAT Toledo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2016 SEAT Toledo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2016 SEAT Toledo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?