SEAT Ateca: what fails at MOT
71,000 MOT tests on the SEAT Ateca in 2024, counted. 10.8% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
10.8% of SEAT Ateca tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 14.2%, so the Ateca does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (3.1% of tests), brakes (1.6% of tests) and lights and electrics (1.4% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,214 | 10.5% | 10.9% | 24,300 17,800 to 32,300 |
| 2020 | 12,723 | 9.0% | 11.5% | 30,200 22,500 to 39,400 |
| 2019 | 16,781 | 9.3% | 13.4% | 38,800 30,000 to 49,300 |
| 2018 | 12,670 | 12.5% | 15.6% | 48,300 38,000 to 60,300 |
| 2017 | 13,414 | 12.8% | 18.2% | 56,500 44,500 to 71,100 |
| 2016 | 2,780 | 12.4% | 21.3% | 65,700 52,800 to 80,700 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of SEAT Ateca tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Ateca | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 3.1% | 3.3% |
| Brakes | 1.6% | 1.8% |
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 1.4% | 2.5% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 1.1% | 2.0% |
| Suspension | 0.7% | 1.3% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.4% | 0.7% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.4% | 0.2% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre1.8%
- Tyre tread1.5%
- Brake pads1.3%
- Headlamp aim0.8%
- Washers0.5%
- Wipers0.5%
- Suspension pins and bushes0.3%
- Engine warning light0.3%
- Shock absorbers0.3%
- Brake discs0.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.2%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.8%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.5%
- Headlamp aim: too high0.5%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.4%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.3%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn0.3%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.3%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge10.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin7.9%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.5%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.2%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil4.2%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt3.5%
- Nail in tyre1.7%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement1.5%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a SEAT Ateca's own MOT record
Looking at a Ateca? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.