Car statistics
How many SEAT Atecas are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 51,960 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 70,273 SEAT Atecas licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 246 declared off the road (SORN). That is 0.4% fewer than the peak of 70,531 in 2025.
The highest year-end count was 70,531 in 2025.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 1,934 |
| 2017 | 11,650 |
| 2018 | 20,763 |
| 2019 | 30,946 |
| 2020 | 37,637 |
| 2021 | 44,971 |
| 2022 | 50,101 |
| 2023 | 58,226 |
| 2024 | 68,151 |
| 2025 | 70,531 |
| 2026 | 70,273 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
In 2025, 87.8% of SEAT Ateca MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the SEAT Atecas tested pass 83.5% of the time, so the SEAT Ateca does better than average for its age, by 4.3 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 88.2%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | SEAT Ateca | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 91.0% | 89.5% |
| 4–5 years | 88.6% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 87.4% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 86.1% | 75.7% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Tyres is the most common reason a SEAT Ateca fails its MOT, appearing on 37.1% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 4.9% of SEAT Ateca tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Tyres | 37.1% |
| Brakes | 21.5% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 20.4% |
| Visibility | 14.2% |
| Suspension | 12.9% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.4% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.3% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.6% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a SEAT Ateca failed its MOT in 2025 was “Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm”, on 16.3% of 6,315 failed tests. 45.8% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 16.3% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes | 15.7% |
| Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 10.7% |
| Headlamp aim: too high Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 7.4% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 6.2% |
| Shock absorbers: serious fluid leak Suspension | 5.4% |
| Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres | 4.7% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush excessively worn Suspension | 4.6% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility | 4.5% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.9% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 16.7% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 12.8% |
| Shock absorbers: light misting of oil Suspension | 9.3% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 8.6% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 7.0% |
| Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt Non-component advisories | 5.7% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 3.0% |
| Nail in tyre Non-component advisories | 2.6% |
| Brake discs: worn, but not excessively Brakes | 2.3% |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Identification of the vehicle | 1.7% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
7 years of the SEAT Ateca, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2016 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (86.0% passed first time) and the 2021 cars worst (88.3%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,993 | 1,909 | 86.0% |
| 2017 | 10,139 | 9,771 | 86.3% |
| 2018 | 9,343 | 9,082 | 86.5% |
| 2019 | 11,012 | 10,810 | 88.1% |
| 2020 | 7,704 | 7,757 | 88.6% |
| 2021 | 7,489 | 7,375 | 88.3% |
| 2022 | 5,184 | 4,935 | 91.1% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered. Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
The average SEAT Ateca covers 8,482 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 4–5 years | 8,409 |
| 6–7 years | 8,604 |
| 8–10 years | 8,371 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of SEAT Atecas for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 10,916 in 2019. In 2025, 2,800 were registered.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 0 |
| ’02 | 0 |
| ’03 | 0 |
| ’04 | 0 |
| ’05 | 0 |
| ’06 | 0 |
| ’07 | 0 |
| ’08 | 0 |
| ’09 | 0 |
| ’10 | 0 |
| ’11 | 0 |
| ’12 | 0 |
| ’13 | 0 |
| ’14 | 0 |
| ’15 | 0 |
| ’16 | 1,970 |
| ’17 | 10,091 |
| ’18 | 9,239 |
| ’19 | 10,916 |
| ’20 | 7,906 |
| ’21 | 7,427 |
| ’22 | 5,074 |
| ’23 | 9,173 |
| ’24 | 10,631 |
| ’25 | 2,800 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 74,132 SEAT Atecas licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 55.5% have an engine of 1,401cc to 1,500cc, and 13.2% have an engine of 901cc to 1,000cc. The share with an engine of 1,401cc to 1,500cc has grown from 0.0% in 2016 to 55.5%. Diesels made up 62.0% of those licensed in 2016 and 18.6% in 2025.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 1,401cc to 1,500cc 41,124 licensed | 55.5% |
| 901cc to 1,000cc 9,808 licensed | 13.2% |
| 1,901cc to 2,000cc 9,716 licensed | 13.1% |
| 1,501cc to 1,600cc 6,788 licensed | 9.2% |
| 1,301cc to 1,400cc 6,696 licensed | 9.0% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,401–1,500cc | Petrol | 41,123 | 55.5% |
| 901–1,000cc | Petrol | 9,808 | 13.2% |
| 1,901–2,000cc | Diesel | 7,004 | 9.4% |
| 1,501–1,600cc | Diesel | 6,788 | 9.2% |
| 1,301–1,400cc | Petrol | 6,696 | 9.0% |
| 1,901–2,000cc | Petrol | 2,712 | 3.7% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 1,401–1,500cc | 901–1,000cc | 1,901–2,000cc | 1,501–1,600cc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | – | – | – | – |
| 2015 | – | – | – | – |
| 2016 | 0.0% | 22.9% | 29.3% | 32.7% |
| 2017 | 0.0% | 22.9% | 16.8% | 23.0% |
| 2018 | 4.3% | 24.3% | 18.2% | 21.5% |
| 2019 | 19.1% | 19.1% | 19.5% | 21.1% |
| 2020 | 29.2% | 17.2% | 19.2% | 17.6% |
| 2021 | 37.1% | 16.1% | 17.6% | 14.9% |
| 2022 | 40.8% | 15.5% | 17.4% | 13.3% |
| 2023 | 46.2% | 15.2% | 16.2% | 11.3% |
| 2024 | 53.8% | 13.6% | 13.7% | 9.6% |
| 2025 | 55.5% | 13.2% | 13.1% | 9.2% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
Share of those licensed at the end of each year.
| Year | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | – | – |
| 2015 | – | – |
| 2016 | 38.0% | 62.0% |
| 2017 | 61.2% | 38.8% |
| 2018 | 63.1% | 36.9% |
| 2019 | 64.6% | 35.4% |
| 2020 | 69.4% | 30.6% |
| 2021 | 72.9% | 27.1% |
| 2022 | 74.3% | 25.7% |
| 2023 | 77.0% | 23.0% |
| 2024 | 80.5% | 19.5% |
| 2025 | 81.4% | 18.6% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the SEAT Ateca from 2016, and still lists it. On the WLTP test (listings 2019 to 2026), official combined fuel economy for its petrol and diesel versions ranges from 33.2 to 58.9 mpg, with CO2 of 127 to 198 g/km. On the older NEDC test (listings 2016 to 2018), official combined fuel economy for its petrol and diesel versions ranges from 40.4 to 65.7 mpg, with CO2 of 113 to 159 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 petrol | 42.8–47.1 | 137–148 | 2019–2026 | Euro 6 to Euro 6d | 6 |
| 1.5 petrol | 33.6–45.6 | 141–191 | 2019–2026 | Euro 6 to Euro 6d | 44 |
| 2.0 petrol | 33.2–35.3 | 182–198 | 2019–2022 | Euro 6d‑TEMP to Euro 6d | 12 |
| 1.6 diesel | 48.7–54.3 | 145–160 | 2019–2020 | Euro 6d‑TEMP | 8 |
| 2.0 diesel | 47.1–58.9 | 127–157 | 2019–2022 | Euro 6d‑TEMP to Euro 6d | 34 |
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 petrol | 53.3–54.3 | 119–121 | 2016–2018 | Euro 6 | 5 |
| 1.4 petrol | 51.4–53.3 | 122–125 | 2017–2018 | Euro 6 | 5 |
| 2.0 petrol | 40.4 | 159 | 2018 | Euro 6 | 1 |
| 1.6 diesel | 64.2–65.7 | 113–114 | 2017–2018 | Euro 6 | 5 |
| 2.0 diesel | 51.4–57.6 | 128–142 | 2016–2018 | Euro 6 to Euro 6b | 6 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 11 safety recalls for the SEAT Ateca since 1992, the first in 2017. The most recent was launched on 11 September 2023.
All 11 SEAT Ateca recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every SEAT Ateca. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEAT Ateca | 70,273 | +1.1% | 246 | 119 | Petrol |
| SEAT Ibiza | 203,938 | −0.4% | 14,733 | 38 | Petrol |
| SEAT Leon | 176,216 | −3.3% | 12,898 | 44 | Petrol |
| SEAT Arona | 79,665 | +7.4% | 315 | 111 | Petrol |
| SEAT Alhambra | 22,196 | −4.5% | 3,027 | 225 | Diesel |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 70,519 Ateca records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 51,960 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
