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SEAT CORDOBA (2004)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 62 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,057

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

65%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1896cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

65% pass rate, £2057/year to run. 17 points below average.

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Diesel1896cc22 years old62 tests119k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1896cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Based on 1896cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,057
Per month£171/mo
Per week£40/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

65% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 17 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the SEAT brand average of 85%.

At 22 years old, 65% of SEAT CORDOBAs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 62 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 119,143 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars454th of 491(top 92%)
Rank among SEAT models304th of 311(top 98%)
vs national average-17%(82% avg)
vs 2004 cars average-7%(72% avg)
vs SEAT average-20%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

119,143

Average miles

vs

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 SEAT CORDOBA has 119,143 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2005 model with a 81% MOT pass rate, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 62%. The 2004 sits between the two at 65%.

SEAT CORDOBA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200581%63122,380 mi
200465%62119,143 mi
200375%68117,627 mi
199962%61126,615 mi
199876%6688,852 mi

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About the 2004 SEAT CORDOBA

The 2004 SEAT CORDOBA is a family car with a 1896cc diesel engine. 62 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 92% of 2004 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 119,143 miles at 22 years old, SEAT CORDOBA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 SEAT CORDOBA Fuel Costs

The 1896cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2004 SEAT CORDOBA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,057 171/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 65% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

SEAT CORDOBA Reliability Trend

Newer SEAT CORDOBAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 5 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2004 SEAT CORDOBA

At 22 years old, the SEAT CORDOBA is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2005 model has the highest pass rate at 81%. Note: with only 62 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2004 SEAT CORDOBA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 119k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 65% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2004 SEAT CORDOBA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SEAT CORDOBA(2004)65%£1037£265Grp 18-32£2057
FORD FIESTA(2006)70%£905£30Grp 8-20£1490-£567
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2006)72%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£330
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2006)68%£905£30Grp 8-20£1690-£367
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2005)69%£905£135Grp 12-25£1795-£262

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Seat Models

Explore other Seat cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Seat Cordoba.

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