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SEAT Ateca Mk1 (KH7) (2016-2024) reliability

At a glance

SEAT Ateca Mk1 (KH7) built around 2018: about average at the MOT

SEAT Ateca Mk1 (KH7) models built around 2018 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age.

Looking at a SEAT Ateca Mk1 (KH7) right now?

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

Key figure

12% of MOT tests on SEAT Ateca Mk1 (KH7) 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 Ateca Mk1 (KH7) models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

SEAT Ateca Mk1 (KH7)
excellent reliability2016-2024SUVPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 56,362 tests of Ateca models registered 2016-2024.

About 1 in 12 petrol Ateca cars registered in 2022 (8.9%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 3,954 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 75 Ateca Mk1 (KH7) MOTs (1.5%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 10,276 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 Ateca Mk1 (KH7) MOTs (4.9%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 10,276 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 (KH7) 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
6,5238.8%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
9,41410.6%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
9,79110.2%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
11,59311.3%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
10,27611.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
8,00412.4%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
76111.2%

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 8 years old.

How the Ateca Mk1 (KH7) compares

At each age below, see how the Ateca Mk1 (KH7) 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
6,5238.8%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
9,41410.6%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
9,79110.2%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
11,59311.3%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
10,27611.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
8,00412.4%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
76111.2%

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 pads

High priority

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

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.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

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 Ateca Mk1 (KH7).

  1. 1

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.4%

    No clear edge over the SEAT Ateca Mk1 (KH7) on these figures.

    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

  2. 2

    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 11.8% for the SEAT Ateca Mk1 (KH7), both built around 2018.

    1,815 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Porsche Macan

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.6%

    Lower fail rate: 8.7%, against 11.8% for the SEAT Ateca Mk1 (KH7), both built around 2018.

    4,936 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    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 11.8% for the SEAT Ateca Mk1 (KH7), both built around 2018.

    4,706 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

12 recalls in all

All 12 Ateca Mk1 (KH7) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 11 more

Top concerns

  • Front driver airbag replacement
  • 48T7 - steering housing bolt Ateca and tarraco
  • Engine design covers could detach from their fixing

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

What has gone wrong on Ateca Mk1 (KH7) cars built around 2018

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 477 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
3%
Emissions
3%

Wear items

Tyres
20%
Brakes
13%
Lighting
3%

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Engine sizes across all petrol Ateca tests (not specific to Mk1 (KH7)).

Under 1.0 litre13.4%2,545 tests1.0 to 1.4 litres11.0%3,739 tests1.4 to 2.0 litres9.3%827 tests
How Ateca Mk1 (KH7) cars have aged

How Ateca Mk1 (KH7) 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%3456789Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 10.3% (5,931 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 11.1% (5,669 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 8.5% (5,545 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 8.8% (5,189 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 10.5% (4,957 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 8.0% (8,044 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 9.3% (7,541 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 9.5% (7,341 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 11.1% (7,305 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 11.7% (7,190 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 10.0% (6,491 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 10.2% (6,214 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 11.7% (6,147 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 12.0% (5,906 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 10.0% (7,355 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 10.3% (7,097 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 11.7% (6,992 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 12.3% (6,766 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 12.3% (6,588 tests, 2025 data)2017Built around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 9.3% (965 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 9.3% (905 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 11.8% (849 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 11.6% (812 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 11.2% (761 tests, 2025 data)2016
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018
How each part holds up as Mk1 (KH7) cars age

How each part holds up as Mk1 (KH7) 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%5%3%3%
Brakes4%7%13%12%
Emissions2%2%3%2%
Tyres10%13%20%20%
Lighting2%1%3%4%
DrivetrainNo figureNo figureNo figure1%
Corrosion0%0%0%1%

Based on petrol cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 333 to 552 cars at each age.

Mk1 (KH7) variants compared

Ateca Mk1 (KH7) variants built around 2018

The fail rate for each Ateca Mk1 (KH7) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • ATECA11.7%7,107 tests

Diesel

  • ATECA12.2%3,162 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on SEAT Atecas of this age

This list covers every SEAT Ateca built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 (KH7) 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

    19.5%
    Advisory: 2,956Fail: 254 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    14.0%
    Advisory: 1,502Fail: 248 (14% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    10.9%
    Advisory: 1,575Fail: 18 (1% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    9.9%
    Advisory: 1,379Fail: 130 (9% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    5.6%
    Advisory: 697Fail: 53 (7% of the times it was found)

Based on 10,276 tests

Looking at a SEAT Ateca Mk1 (KH7) 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 Ateca Mk1 (KH7) (2016-2024) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 10,276 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 56,362 MOT tests on SEAT Atecas first registered between 2016-2024. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.