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SEAT Arona Mk1 (KJ7) (2018-present) reliability

At a glance

SEAT Arona Mk1 (KJ7) built around 2018: about average at the MOT

SEAT Arona Mk1 (KJ7) models built around 2018 fail their MOT a little more often than similar cars the same age.

Looking at a SEAT Arona Mk1 (KJ7) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

20% of MOT tests on SEAT Arona Mk1 (KJ7) models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on SEAT Arona Mk1 (KJ7) models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

SEAT Arona Mk1 (KJ7)
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2018-presentSUVPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 62,121 tests of Arona models registered 2018+.

About 1 in 9 petrol Arona cars registered in 2022 (11.5%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 5,969 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 40 Arona Mk1 (KJ7) MOTs (2.4%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 8,120 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 Arona Mk1 (KJ7) MOTs (5.2%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 8,120 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 (KJ7) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
9,3499.6%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
13,34310.8%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
14,14012.5%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
17,16916.5%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
8,12019.5%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 7 years old.

How the Arona Mk1 (KJ7) compares

At each age below, see how the Arona Mk1 (KJ7) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 70,337 tests across 7 SEAT models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateSEAT average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
9,3499.6%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
13,34310.8%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
14,14012.5%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
17,16916.5%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
8,12019.5%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Steering track rods

Worth checking

On a flat surface, rock the steering wheel briefly with the engine off and listen for clunks.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Arona Mk1 (KJ7).

  1. 1

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 19.5% for the SEAT Arona Mk1 (KJ7), both built around 2018.

    1,815 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Lexus NX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    2.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.4%

    Lower fail rate: 9.5%, against 19.5% for the SEAT Arona Mk1 (KJ7), both built around 2018.

    4,706 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 9.6%, against 19.5% for the SEAT Arona Mk1 (KJ7), both built around 2018.

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.4%, against 19.5% for the SEAT Arona Mk1 (KJ7), both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,969 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

5 recalls in all

4 of the 5 Arona Mk1 (KJ7) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 4 recalls

Top concerns

  • Passenger airbag replacement
  • The bracket of the double belt buckle may have been damaged during the forming process
  • The adjusted handbrake lever travel for parking can increase

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

What has gone wrong on Arona Mk1 (KJ7) cars built around 2018

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 735 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
26%
Emissions
2%
Drivetrain
1%

Wear items

Tyres
20%
Brakes
16%
Lighting
5%
How Arona Mk1 (KJ7) cars have aged

How Arona Mk1 (KJ7) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%20%34567Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 10.7% (9,314 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 10.8% (8,698 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 10.3% (8,337 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 11.0% (7,580 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 11.9% (7,314 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 9.3% (11,381 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 11.1% (10,547 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.5% (10,259 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 15.1% (10,388 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 9.0% (8,743 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 11.1% (8,179 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 16.5% (8,376 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 18.8% (8,349 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 19.5% (8,120 tests, 2025 data)2018
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018
How each part holds up as Mk1 (KJ7) cars age

How each part holds up as Mk1 (KJ7) cars age

The share of petrol cars built 2017-2020 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car5 years6 years7 years8 years
Suspension2%6%26%50%
Brakes13%12%16%20%
Emissions2%2%2%4%
Tyres11%17%20%23%
Lighting2%2%5%4%
DrivetrainNo figureNo figure1%No figure
Corrosion0%0%0%0%

Based on petrol cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 56 to 951 cars at each age.

Mk1 (KJ7) variants compared

Arona Mk1 (KJ7) variants built around 2018

The fail rate for each Arona Mk1 (KJ7) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • ARONA19.0%6,508 tests

Diesel

  • ARONA21.6%1,611 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on SEAT Aronas of this age

This list covers every SEAT Arona built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 (KJ7) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    15.1%
    Advisory: 1,810Fail: 196 (10% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    14.1%
    Advisory: 1,706Fail: 33 (2% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.1%
    Advisory: 1,768Fail: 198 (10% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    11.0%
    Advisory: 1,004Fail: 195 (16% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Minor

    Track rod end dust cover damaged, but still keeps dirt out

    9.5%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 8,676 tests

Looking at a SEAT Arona Mk1 (KJ7) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the SEAT Arona Mk1 (KJ7) (2018-present) fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 8,120 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 62,121 MOT tests on SEAT Aronas first registered from 2018. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.