Used car guide

2021 SEAT Ateca: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 SEAT Atecas, from 7,485 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,485MOT tests in 2025
88%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
8,000typical miles a year
8.5×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

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

  • Shock absorbers8.5× usual
    SEAT Ateca
    14.5% All 2021 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.3% of all 2021 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.

  • Brake pads2.1× usual
    SEAT Ateca
    14.1% All 2021 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, 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.

  • Headlight aim2.2× usual
    SEAT Ateca
    3.1% All 2021 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.4% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

By area

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

  • Tyres
    25% 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
    16% 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.

  • Suspension
    16% 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    6% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    5% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

Looking at a SEAT Ateca?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20225,283Tyres 22%
20207,846Tyres 29%
201910,793Tyres 30%
20188,919Tyres 30%
20179,506Tyres 30%
20161,884Tyres 28%

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