SEAT Ateca MOT pass rate and common failures

In 2025, 87.5% of SEAT Ateca MOT tests were a first-time pass, across 47,657 tests in Great Britain. For all cars it was 71.5%.

Compared with cars of the same age

Older cars fail more often, so a model that’s mostly a few years old will look better than one that’s mostly 12. These figures compare like with like.

At 3–5 years

88.8%

All cars: 86.1% (2.7 points better). 23,584 tests.

At 6–10 years

86.3%

All cars: 76.1% (10.2 points better). 24,073 tests.

At 11 years and over

–

Too few tests at this age to say.

Pass rate by age

60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Age at test (years) Age 3: 89.7% passed first time (6,194 tests) Age 4: 88.2% passed first time (8,202 tests) Age 5: 88.7% passed first time (9,188 tests) Age 6: 86.9% passed first time (9,715 tests) Age 7: 86.4% passed first time (8,368 tests) Age 8: 85.3% passed first time (5,716 tests) Age 9: 84.7% passed first time (274 tests) 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 3 5 7 9 Age at test (years) Age 3: 89.7% passed first time (6,194 tests) Age 4: 88.2% passed first time (8,202 tests) Age 5: 88.7% passed first time (9,188 tests) Age 6: 86.9% passed first time (9,715 tests) Age 7: 86.4% passed first time (8,368 tests) Age 8: 85.3% passed first time (5,716 tests) Age 9: 84.7% passed first time (274 tests)
This model All cars
Figures by age, with typical mileage
Age (years)TestsFirst-time passAll carsTypical mileage
36,19489.7%87.8%31,250 miles
48,20288.2%86.4%36,250 miles
59,18888.7%84.5%43,750 miles
69,71586.9%81.9%53,750 miles
78,36886.4%79.3%61,250 miles
85,71685.3%76.3%68,750 miles
927484.7%73.1%78,750 miles

Typical mileage is the median reading at the test, to the nearest 2,500 miles.

What fails most often

The share of SEAT Ateca MOT tests that failed on at least one item in each area, against all cars. A test can fail on several areas at once.

AreaAtecaAll cars
Tyres6.1%8.4%
Brakes3.5%10.2%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment3.2%16.6%
Suspension2.2%13.7%
Visibility2.0%5.2%
Noise, emissions and leaks0.7%4.0%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems0.5%1.1%
Identification of the vehicle0.3%0.4%

Most common reasons for failing

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm failed 2.7% of tests
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick failed 2.3% of tests · what this means
  3. Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords failed 1.5% of tests
  4. Headlamp aim: too high failed 1.1% of tests · what this means
  5. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively failed 1.0% of tests · what this means
  6. Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn failed 0.9% of tests · what this means
  7. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak failed 0.9% of tests · what this means
  8. Condition: has ply or cords exposed failed 0.7% of tests
  9. Headlamp aim: too low failed 0.6% of tests · what this means
  10. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid failed 0.6% of tests · what this means

Checking a particular Ateca?

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About these figures

Download these figures (CSV) · Other SEAT models · All makes

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data for 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Our own analysis; not produced or endorsed by DVSA.