What are the most common problems with a 2016 SEAT Toledo petrol?

The biggest MOT weak spot is shock absorbers: flagged on 14.4% of tests, 3.9× the rate for all 2016 cars, followed by suspension arm bushes and joints (13.4%).

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 2016 SEAT Toledo petrol?

Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2016 SEAT Toledo petrol as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2016 SEAT Toledo petrol as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

2016 SEAT Toledo petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol SEAT Toledo first registered in 2016 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 603 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

603MOTs of 2016 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025

77%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 77%)

7,400typical miles a year

3.9×the usual rate for shock absorbers

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

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

Shock absorbers3.9× usual

SEAT Toledo
14.4% All 2016 cars
3.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, 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 joints2.7× usual

SEAT Toledo
13.4% All 2016 cars
4.9%

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.

Common 2016 SEAT Toledo petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

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.
Suspension

27% 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

24% 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

6% 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

6% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

2% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 SEAT Toledo petrol

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

Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2016 SEAT Toledo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2016 SEAT Toledo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a SEAT Toledo?

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 Toledo compared

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2019	258	Tyres 36%
2018	3,352	Tyres 33%
2017	2,159	Tyres 30%
2015	2,251	Suspension 35%
2014	2,695	Suspension 37%
2013	2,652	Suspension 39%
2012	280	Suspension 37%
2008	–	Too few tests
2007	288	Suspension 56%
2006	471	Suspension 52%
2005	568	Suspension 55%
2004	271	Brakes 48%
2003	331	Suspension 44%
2002	156	Suspension 49%
2001	117	Suspension 50%
2000	–	Too few tests
1999	–	Too few tests
1998	–	Too few tests
1997	–	Too few tests
1996	–	Too few tests
1994	–	Too few tests
1993	–	Too few tests
1992	–	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 Toledo cars first registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score