Seat Ibiza (2016)
2016 Seat Ibiza
CarHunch analysed 18,756 real MOT records for the 2016 Seat Ibiza. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2016 SEAT IBIZA passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 81.5%, which is solid, but nearly 43% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significantly higher figure that warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection. Petrol and diesel variants perform almost identically, so fuel choice won't affect reliability here.
These Ibizas are showing modest mileage for their age at a median of 44,155 miles, suggesting they've been reasonably well looked after, but they're averaging nearly 1.8 failures per test and 11 advisories, indicating wear-related issues are creeping in. When you're viewing one, focus on brake condition, suspension wear, and any historical dangerous defects on its MOT history—these will tell you whether the previous owner addressed problems or let them compound.
What to check before buying a 2016 Seat Ibiza
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 42.8% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Seat Ibiza
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (97%) | 18,255 | 81.5% | 1.76 |
| Diesel (3%) | 497 | 80% | 1.86 |
| Other (0%) | 4 | 93.8% | 0.25 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2016 Seat Ibiza vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2016 Seat Ibiza vehicles fall between 33,629 and 55,647 miles.
2016 Seat Ibiza — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 17,451 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 96% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2016 Seat Ibiza
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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49.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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47.1%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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31.9%
Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil
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28.1%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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28.1%
Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil
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25.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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25%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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21.7%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Seat Ibiza?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.