Used car guide

2018 SEAT Toledo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 SEAT Toledos, from 1,101 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,101MOT tests in 2025
76%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
7,400typical miles a year
6×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

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

  • Shock absorbers6× usual
    SEAT Toledo
    17.4% All 2018 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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 joints4.5× usual
    SEAT Toledo
    14.5% All 2018 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, 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 performance2.5× usual
    SEAT Toledo
    3.5% 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.

  • Engine oil leaks2.2× usual
    SEAT Toledo
    3.1% All 2018 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0% of all 2018 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 2018 SEAT Toledo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    32% 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
    30% 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
    23% 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
    6% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    4% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2017705Suspension 30%
2016512Suspension 36%
2015671Suspension 39%
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 2018 SEAT Toledos registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score