I was surprised, until I read the last paragraph. SEAT and Skoda have been the reliable VW brands for 2-3 decades, with the Ibizas and Octavias reaching mythical status. I read somewhere that some SEATs are actually rebadged VW china models. Great way for VW to squander reputation.
I don’t buy new cars. I buy them 5-10 years old, and for a bit before, try to keep an eye on how many I see of them on the road. Not very scientific, but it gives you an idea of their longevity.