2006 Seat Ibiza — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 23,833 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Seat Ibiza, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 70.3% was below the average for superminis of a similar age (71.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.9% in the 150k+ group versus 16.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 4,516 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.2% | 3,150 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.9% | 2,826 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 2,090 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.8% | 1,870 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.6% | 1,811 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 2,061 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 1,821 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 1,650 |
| 4 | Washers | 1,424 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 1,228 |
| 6 | Joints | 1,041 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 31.3% | 7,467 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.8% | 6,854 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.9% | 6,181 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.2% | 4,106 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.1% | 3,592 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 3,324 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 317 | 16.7% |
| 30-60k | 2,391 | 23.7% |
| 60-90k | 6,746 | 28.2% |
| 90-120k | 8,248 | 31.6% |
| 120-150k | 4,212 | 32.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,904 | 30.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 19,850 | 29.9% |
| Diesel | 3,979 | 29.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,078 | 30.1% |
| 2022 | 5,762 | 29.3% |
| 2023 | 4,634 | 29.9% |
| 2024 | 3,640 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 2,719 | 29.5% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Ibiza
Before buying a 2006 Seat Ibiza, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.9% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (11.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2006 Seat Ibizas pass their MOT?
70.3% of the 23,833 2006 Seat Ibiza MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Seat Ibiza?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests, followed by suspension (13.2%).
Does the 2006 Ibiza get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.7% in the 0-30k band to 30.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 23,833 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.