Used car guide

2015 SEAT Toledo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 SEAT Toledos, from 671 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

671MOT tests in 2025
69%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)
10,500typical miles a year
2.9×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2015 SEAT Toledos than on all cars registered in 2015.

  • Shock absorbers2.9× usual
    SEAT Toledo
    14.9% All 2015 cars
    5.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 1.1% of all 2015 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
    SEAT Toledo
    16.1% All 2015 cars
    7.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 1.4% of all 2015 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 leaks3.3× usual
    SEAT Toledo
    11.2% All 2015 cars
    3.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.1% of all 2015 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.

  • Headlight aim2.1× usual
    SEAT Toledo
    5.4% All 2015 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 2.6% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

    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 2015 SEAT Toledo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    39% 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
    34% 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
    31% 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
    18% 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
    12% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    6% 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
20181,101Suspension 32%
2017705Suspension 30%
2016512Suspension 36%
2014812Suspension 40%
2013744Suspension 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2015 SEAT Toledos registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score