Used car guide

2003 SEAT Ibiza: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 SEAT Ibizas, from 641 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

641MOT tests in 2025
51%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
4,300typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 SEAT Ibizas than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.1× usual
    SEAT Ibiza
    20.4% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 2.9% of all 2003 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.

  • Link ball joint covers2.8× usual
    SEAT Ibiza
    6.6% All 2003 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Engine warning light2.3× usual
    SEAT Ibiza
    5.9% All 2003 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 2.6% of all 2003 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 2003 SEAT Ibiza MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    46% 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
    46% 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.

  • Tyres
    36% 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
    28% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    21% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    18% 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
2023551Tyres 17%
20225,272Tyres 22%
20218,480Tyres 27%
20208,141Tyres 30%
201913,061Tyres 31%
201812,948Tyres 31%
201715,723Suspension 34%
201618,149Suspension 37%
201517,778Suspension 40%
201419,025Suspension 42%
201315,857Suspension 45%
201212,805Suspension 46%
201112,757Suspension 51%
20109,450Suspension 53%
20097,686Suspension 57%
20084,465Suspension 52%
20073,003Suspension 51%
20062,043Suspension 47%
20051,107Suspension 51%
2004888Suspension 44%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 SEAT Ibizas registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score