Skoda vs SEAT: Which Is Best?

SEAT and Skoda are two car brands that are very closely related, not only because some of their models have a similar look and feel, but also because they’re owned by the same parent company, Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Group. 

With many of the same parts under the bonnet, you might be wondering what makes these two car brands different, and which one is the best. In this guide, we've done the research for you to help answer those questions.

Guide Contents:

Maintenance Costs

Model Range

Reliability

Warranty and Roadside Assistance

Are Skoda and SEAT engines the same?

Skoda vs SEAT: maintenance costs

One of the most important things to consider when you’re buying a car is how much it will cost to maintain. This is particularly important when the car makes that you’re interested in are very similar, like Skoda and SEAT. So, which one is the cheapest?

Adding these prices together shows that SEAT is slightly cheaper - but only just - with a total of £675.09 compared to Skoda's £676.62. Generally, the two brands' full service and MOT prices are similar, with only a few pounds between them. But over a year, these slight differences can add up.

Skoda vs SEAT: model range

Skoda has eight new models available in a range of body styles and configurations: the Superb, Kodiaq, Octavia, Enyaq, Fabia, Scala, Kamiq and Karoq.

Read about common problems with the Skoda Octavia or Skoda Fabia.

SEAT, on the other hand, has five new models: the Leon, Ibiza, Arona, Ateca and Tarraco.

This guide discusses common problems with the SEAT Arona.

Skoda vs SEAT: reliability

Despite Skoda and SEAT cars sharing several similarities, their reliability differs from model to model and even between petrol and diesel engines. We’ve created a table using the WhatCar? 2023 reliability survey to help you compare the different makes and models.

The models with the joint-highest reliability scores are the Skoda Karoq (petrol) 2017-present and the Skoda Kodiaq (diesel), both with 96%. The model with the lowest score is the Skoda Octavia 2020-present, which has 77.6%.

Skoda's reliability score as a brand is 91.4%, putting it in 16th place out of 32. SEAT, on the other hand, comes in 18th place with a score of 90.9%.

Skoda vs SEAT: Warranty

SEAT vehicles come with a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty - whichever comes first. If that doesn’t seem enough, warranty extension options can be discussed with your local dealer. They also have a three-year paintwork warranty.

Similarly, Skoda offers a two-year unlimited mileage warranty, including a third year of up to 60,000 miles. In addition to this, they provide a 12-year body protection warranty on all new Skodas. And, if you want to extend your warranty, you can do so by up to five years or 10,000 miles.

Find out how to keep your warranty valid here.

Are Skoda and SEAT engines the same?

While Skoda and SEAT share a lot of technology and parts, this doesn’t mean they are perfectly identical under the bonnet, though a few are well-known for being similar.

The Skoda Fabia, for example, is mechanically similar to the SEAT Ibiza, while the SEAT Leon (pictured below) is much like the Skoda Octavia. Typically, these cars have an equivalent level of performance, so it comes down to price, appearance and reliability when choosing between them.

Which is better, Skoda or SEAT?

The average maintenance and repair price across all SEAT models (£249.31) is just eight pence cheaper than Skoda (£249.39), so they are very closely matched in this respect. Skoda has a better reliability score and a bigger model range, but again, this is only by a small margin.

If you found this guide helpful, you might also like:

• Skoda vs Volkswagen - which is best?

• Top 10 cheapest SUVs to maintain

• Common problems with the Skoda Octavia

• Common problems with the Skoda Fabia

• Common problems with the Seat Arona

• Is the Skoda Fabia a good first car for new drivers?

• How much does an MOT cost for a Skoda?

• VW v Audi v Seat v Skoda: Which costs the most to maintain?