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SEAT Toledo reliability by build year

Coverage 2005-20192 named generationsSaloonDIESEL / PETROL

We've only got 1,396 MOT tests for SEAT Toledos built around 2018 (7 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

SEAT Toledo built around 2018: fails its MOT more often than average

SEAT Toledos built around 2018 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the suspension on any car you view.

Check a SEAT Toledo by number plate

Key figure

21% of MOT tests on SEAT Toledos 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 Toledos built around 2018 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The SEAT Toledo's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

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.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

Tyres

Worth checking

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

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.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Toledo's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Toledo Mk4 (KG)

Mk4 (KG) (2013-2019)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

21.1% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 1,396 MOT tests at this ageView details →
M

Mk3 (5P) (2005-2009)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESEL

34.1% fail rate, built around 2007 (18 years old)

Likely between 26.6% and 42.5%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.3%)

From 132 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

DIESELPETROL

30.8% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Likely between 23.3% and 39.6%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 120 MOT tests at this ageLimited data

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the SEAT Toledo.

See every build year for the SEAT Toledo

Side-by-side

SEAT Toledo generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk4 (KG) (2013-2019)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate21.1%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 1,396 MOT tests at this age
Mk3 (5P) (2005-2009)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate34.1%likely between 26.6% and 42.5%built around 2007 (18 years old)from 132 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating30.8%likely between 23.3% and 39.6%built around 2004 (21 years old)from 120 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Toledo, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

SEAT Toledo fail rate by age

This chart combines every SEAT Toledo ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
41319.1%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
1,39621.1%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
78223.5%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
74222.4%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
1,02123.4%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
1,07927.1%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
70727.3%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
6432.8%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
13234.1%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
10634.0%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
10631.1%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
12030.8%

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 18 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old SEAT Toledos

These issues come from 7-year-old SEAT Toledos, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    18.1%
    Advisory: 342Fail: 19 (5% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    16.4%
    Advisory: 238Fail: 102 (30% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.4%
    Advisory: 236Fail: 85 (26% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    14.0%
    Advisory: 258Fail: 35 (12% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    14.0%
    Advisory: 267Fail: 4 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,396 MOT tests on 7-year-old SEAT Toledos, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old SEAT Toledos notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Suspension37%
  2. Suspension + Tyres37%
  3. Brakes + Tyres26%
  4. Other + Suspension16%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 476 MOT tests on SEAT Toledo cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

70%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · Fewer than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

12 recalls in all

11 of the 12 SEAT Toledo recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 4 Critical
  • 7 more

Top concerns

  • Front driver airbag replacement
  • Flywheel may fail
  • Insecurity of fan blade

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

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Volkswagen Passat

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.2%
    Dangerous
    5.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    83.2%

    Lower fail rate: 14.9%, against 21.1% for the SEAT Toledo, both built around 2018.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    14,646 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Kia Optima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.2%
    Dangerous
    7.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.9%

    Lower fail rate: 15.5%, against 21.1% for the SEAT Toledo, both built around 2018.

    3,355 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Toyota Avensis

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.9%
    Dangerous
    4.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    72.2%

    Lower fail rate: 15.7%, against 21.1% for the SEAT Toledo, both built around 2018.

    2,026 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Hyundai i40

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3%
    Dangerous
    5.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    75.2%

    Lower fail rate: 16.8%, against 21.1% for the SEAT Toledo, both built around 2018.

    2,244 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.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the SEAT Toledo across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. It has the 6th lowest fail rate of 7 SEAT models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 1,396 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every SEAT Toledo ever sold: 6,668 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 1,396 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.