Used car guide

2002 SEAT Arosa: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 SEAT Arosas, from 303 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 303 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

303MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
3,400typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 SEAT Arosas than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.7× usual
    SEAT Arosa
    22.4% All 2002 cars
    8.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.8% of all 2002 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.

  • Exhaust system2.1× usual
    SEAT Arosa
    20.1% All 2002 cars
    9.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2.5% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual
    SEAT Arosa
    15.8% All 2002 cars
    6.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.9%, against 3% of all 2002 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.

  • Brake lights2.1× usual
    SEAT Arosa
    11.9% All 2002 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 4.6% of all 2002 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.

By area

The share of 2002 SEAT Arosa MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    55% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    40% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    36% 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.

  • Tyres
    31% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    24% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    21% 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 engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2004480Suspension 50%
2003398Suspension 48%
2001197Suspension 46%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 SEAT Arosas registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score