2017 SEAT Arona: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the SEAT Arona first registered in 2017: we looked at the 1,853 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 SEAT Arona?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 SEAT Arona than on all cars registered in 2017.
- Track rod ends17.9× usualSEAT Arona25% All 2017 cars1.4%
Failed outright at MOT: 15.2%, against 0.6% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Common 2017 SEAT Arona MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2017 SEAT Arona MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension30% 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.
- Tyres29% 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.
- Brakes25% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors4% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Seats and seatbelts4% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
- Lights and electrics4% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Known faults on the 2017 SEAT Arona
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- All engines
Seatbelt, airbag and parking brake recalls
Recalls covered rear seatbelt buckles that might not latch (2018 and 2020), driver’s airbags inflating too slowly (2019) and the parking brake going out of adjustment (2019).
At the viewing: Ask a SEAT dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.
- All engines
Front Assist faults
Some owners have had problems with the Front Assist emergency braking, from a faulty sensor or bad weather.
At the viewing: Make sure no driver-aid warnings show.
- All engines
Dashboard rattle
A rattle from the passenger side of the dashboard is not unusual.
At the viewing: Listen on a rough road.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2017 SEAT Arona
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Have the seatbelt and airbag recalls been done?
- Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 17.9× as often on the 2017 SEAT Arona as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a SEAT Arona?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the SEAT Arona compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 766 | Tyres 16% |
| 2022 | 7,070 | Tyres 18% |
| 2021 | 23,667 | Brakes 23% |
| 2020 | 31,932 | Tyres 24% |
| 2019 | 43,606 | Tyres 29% |
| 2018 | 35,709 | Tyres 29% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of SEAT Arona cars first registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score