Mine has done 47000 miles, nothing gone wrong,
I use fixed servicing which mean gets done every 10-12 months

Problems seem to have been on low mileage cars (batteries not getting charged enough), and some sticky or seized turbos.

Rear brake disc rotors are prone to corroding, especially if little used and parked with handbrake on, most people can scrub them off with some heavy braking. But by 4 years might be grooved and pitted and need changing.

Mine is the 1.0tsi DSG, seems happier on E5 super unleaded than E10 95ron. Pulls much better and seems to get about 7% (cruising) to 14% (urban) better mileage which makes it cheaper providing don't pay more than about 10p / litre extra

 

At 3-4 years old reliability will largely depend on service history and how the car has been looked after, with used cars reliability is dependant on many factors, car buying is a gamble even if you buy new

 

Be aware that if you do mostly town stop/start driving or short journeys the particulate filter can become blocked like mine did at 8k miles. The diesel engines have a DPF filter regeneration process but the petrol versions don't have this and blocked particulate filters will cause all manner of poor running issues. Low mileage also negatively affects the turbo, as mentioned by Snowdaddy.

The biggest problem I've encountered is the customer service levels of the dealer servicing when things go wrong. If you purchase an out of warranty vehicle avoid the SEAT dealers and use a VAG specialist local garage instead. Much cheaper and probably better service.

Otherwise, the Arona is a nice car to drive and is compact enough to park easily.

 

I am interested in the commments about low mileage cars and consequential problems. Many years ago when I was a 'grease monkey' we had a customer that insisted on driving her Spitfire at 30mph in top gear. My job was to tune? the car. All it needed was a good run using all the revs and clear out the muck. I admit to being not politically correct in using a good dose of Redex! Is it still made?
Nowdays with modern fuel etc, low mileage is perhaps not the problem it was. I am on my second vehicle with a Turbo and although low mileage, when possible I try and use higher revs than one normally does in stop start driving. Neither has given any problems.What is a problem is popping to the shop but a few hundred yards away, The battery gets a hammering and so does the fuel consumption. One local here drives but 100 mtrs. No She is not as disabled as I am and I would not use a car in this way.
However, I am not speaking of experience with a Seat as I am STILL waiting. Besides we hear so much about the wonderful VAG organisation so all should be well.

 

However, I am not speaking of experience with a Seat as I am STILL waiting. Besides we hear so much about the wonderful VAG organisation so all should be well.

I've owned various VW/Audi and now a SEAT vehicle since 1983 and all from new. The added layer-upon-layer of complexity of the modern variants just adds to the potential list of things to go wrong and VAG is no better than others.

The low mileage issue is to do with the Otto Particulate Filter fitted to petrol VAG cars since 2019. They soot-up if not driven hard or if the engine doesn't reach optimal temperature regularly. I'm careful not to drive short distances from cold but where I live has no motorways nearby so country road driving at 40/50MPH is my norm. Despite this and always choosing branded fuel I still suffered from the effects of a partially blocked OPF. I was told by my VAG specialist garage that no amount of petrol additive will help and conversely it may make the soot deposit situation even worse. Also, as the turbo is on the inlet manifold side of the injectors any petrol additives will not help with any turbo issues either.

Good luck with your wait.

 

I am considering to buy a used Arona (around 3-4 years old), went to text drive and feel great.
just wondering how reliable is this car.

Assuming timely service is done.
what are the more common problems in Arona? In terms of electronic/mechanical/other parts?

Many thanks!

Cambelt change is expensive when required
And a common fault is the microswitch on the DSG gearbox which fails but does not stop you using car..it just puts a warning on the screen but switch is about £90
If I remember

 

I have a 2020 arona xcellence lux and had it almost a year and it's a fantastic little suv. Big enough for a small family but not hard to park or maneuver. Fuel economy is good I drive 300 miles round trip to visit family 2-3 times a month and both husband I used it daily to commute. Done 5000 miles since getting it in jan 24 and no issues yet

 

What was your milage may I ask, I'm looking at a 2018 seat arona sports edition which i test drove and it'd a brilliant car, but it has 80,000 miles which I'm a bit worried about

 

Which engine does it have, diesel 1.6 or petrol 1.0 or 1.5?

 

I am considering to buy a used Arona (around 3-4 years old), went to text drive and feel great.
just wondering how reliable is this car.

Assuming timely service is done.
what are the more common problems in Arona? In terms of electronic/mechanical/other parts?

Many thanks!

I thoroughly recommend the 115 diesel. I did 48k miles in 6 years at almost exactly 50mpg. Literally NO repairs just servicing on a contract. Good M-way car but actually more economical about town! Would've happily kept it for longer but along came a Cupra Born.