Used car guide

2019 SEAT Tarraco: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2019 SEAT Tarracos, from 4,159 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

4,159MOT tests in 2025
83%pass first time (all 2019 cars: 84%)
8,800typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2019 SEAT Tarracos than on all cars registered in 2019.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.6× usual
    SEAT Tarraco
    5.8% All 2019 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.3% of all 2019 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.

  • Shock absorbers2.3× usual
    SEAT Tarraco
    5.7% All 2019 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.4% of all 2019 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.

  • Airbag warning light11.5× usual
    SEAT Tarraco
    2.3% All 2019 cars
    0.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.2% of all 2019 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 2019 SEAT Tarraco MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    32% 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
    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.

  • Suspension
    12% 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
    8% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    7% 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 Tarraco?

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

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022883Tyres 29%
20211,114Tyres 29%
20202,061Tyres 31%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2019 SEAT Tarracos registered in 2019. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score