Used car guide

2016 SEAT Ibiza: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 SEAT Ibizas, from 18,148 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

18,148MOT tests in 2025
67%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
7,200typical miles a year
3.8×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 SEAT Ibizas than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Shock absorbers3.8× usual
    SEAT Ibiza
    16.4% All 2016 cars
    4.3%
    Rough price £150–£400

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.9× usual
    SEAT Ibiza
    17.9% All 2016 cars
    6.1%
    Rough price £100–£300

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Braking performance2.2× usual
    SEAT Ibiza
    5.5% All 2016 cars
    2.5%
    Rough price £100–£350

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Washers2.2× usual
    SEAT Ibiza
    4% All 2016 cars
    1.8%
    Rough price £15–£60

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Headlamp aim1.6× usual
    SEAT Ibiza
    3.5% All 2016 cars
    2.2%
    Rough price £20–£60

    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 2016 SEAT Ibiza MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    37% 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
    27% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    12% 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
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    5% 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
20218,452Tyres 27%
20207,527Tyres 30%
201911,612Tyres 30%
201812,945Tyres 31%
201715,721Tyres 34%
201517,775Suspension 40%
201419,024Suspension 42%
201315,854Suspension 45%
201212,799Suspension 46%
201112,746Suspension 51%
20109,447Suspension 53%
20097,686Suspension 57%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 SEAT Ibizas registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score