Used car guide

2021 SEAT Arona: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 SEAT Aronas, from 11,713 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

11,713MOT tests in 2025
88%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
7,100typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2021 SEAT Aronas than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Brake discs2.3× usual
    SEAT Arona
    16.5% All 2021 cars
    7.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.3% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Brake pads1.9× usual
    SEAT Arona
    12.7% All 2021 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.2% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Braking performance2.6× usual
    SEAT Arona
    2.1% All 2021 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.2% of all 2021 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.

By area

The share of 2021 SEAT Arona MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    23% 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
    23% 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    4% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    4% 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
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    3% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023748Tyres 16%
20226,748Tyres 19%
202010,586Tyres 30%
201914,688Tyres 29%
201812,034Tyres 28%
2017624Suspension 29%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2021 SEAT Aronas registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score