Used car guide

2018 SEAT MII: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 SEAT MIIs, from 1,276 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,276MOT tests in 2025
83%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
5,100typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

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

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
    SEAT MII
    7.5% All 2018 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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.

  • Braking performance2.9× usual
    SEAT MII
    4% All 2018 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.5% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

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

By area

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

  • Tyres
    29% 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
    10% 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
    9% 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
    5% 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 MII?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20211,081Tyres 28%
20191,299Tyres 26%
20171,467Tyres 28%
20162,242Tyres 27%
20152,685Tyres 30%
20143,072Tyres 28%
20133,483Tyres 28%
20121,730Tyres 27%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 SEAT MIIs registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score