Used car guide

2018 SEAT Ibiza: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 SEAT Ibizas, from 12,945 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

12,945MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
7,200typical miles a year
11.8×the usual rate for track rod end

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 SEAT Ibizas than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Track rod end11.8× usual
    SEAT Ibiza
    20.1% All 2018 cars
    1.7%
    Rough price £80–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Shock absorbers2.6× usual
    SEAT Ibiza
    7.6% All 2018 cars
    2.9%
    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.

  • Headlamp aim2.2× usual
    SEAT Ibiza
    3.8% All 2018 cars
    1.7%
    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.

  • Washers1.7× usual
    SEAT Ibiza
    2.6% All 2018 cars
    1.5%
    Rough price £15–£60

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

By area

The share of 2018 SEAT Ibiza MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    29% 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.

  • Brakes
    20% 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
    8% 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
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Looking at a SEAT Ibiza?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20218,452Tyres 27%
20207,527Tyres 30%
201911,612Tyres 30%
201715,721Tyres 34%
201618,148Suspension 37%
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 2018 SEAT Ibizas registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score