Used car guide

2014 SEAT Toledo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 SEAT Toledos, from 812 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

812MOT tests in 2025
68%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)
9,100typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2014 SEAT Toledos than on all cars registered in 2014.

  • Shock absorbers3.1× usual
    SEAT Toledo
    17.4% All 2014 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 1.3% of all 2014 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.2× usual
    SEAT Toledo
    8.7% All 2014 cars
    2.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.5% of all 2014 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
    SEAT Toledo
    14.7% All 2014 cars
    8.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.7% of all 2014 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.

  • Engine oil leaks2.3× usual
    SEAT Toledo
    9.7% All 2014 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

By area

The share of 2014 SEAT Toledo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    40% 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
    32% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    19% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    9% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20181,101Suspension 32%
2017705Suspension 30%
2016512Suspension 36%
2015671Suspension 39%
2013744Suspension 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2014 SEAT Toledos registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score