SEAT Leon MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 185,889 MOT tests on the SEAT Leon carried out in 2023. 23% failed at the first attempt, which is noticeably below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 8 in 10 Leons passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2000 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2014 models did best (79% passed, +7.1 points against the average for 9-year-old cars), while 2000 models fared worst (56%, −4.9 points). Tested cars had covered 73,320 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was suspension, found on 7.3% of tests (slightly below the 8.9% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "fractured or broken", on 3.0% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 185,889
- First-time pass rate
- 77%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +5.2 points
- Average mileage at test
- 73,320
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Leon?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Leon MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 392 | 93% | 91% | +2.0 points | 26,762 |
| 2020 | 13,822 | 87% | 88% | −0.4 points | 27,668 |
| 2019 | 19,748 | 84% | 86% | −2.0 points | 36,284 |
| 2018 | 21,200 | 84% | 84% | −0.5 points | 44,063 |
| 2017 | 18,275 | 83% | 82% | +1.0 points | 54,186 |
| 2016 | 15,959 | 82% | 79% | +3.4 points | 63,957 |
| 2015 | 17,301 | 80% | 75% | +4.6 points | 74,836 |
| 2014 | 18,965 | 79% | 72% | +7.1 points | 85,011 |
| 2013 | 11,770 | 74% | 68% | +5.3 points | 90,996 |
| 2012 | 9,250 | 69% | 66% | +3.1 points | 100,590 |
| 2011 | 6,994 | 65% | 63% | +1.6 points | 107,077 |
| 2010 | 6,322 | 63% | 60% | +2.4 points | 114,918 |
| 2009 | 5,472 | 61% | 59% | +2.0 points | 114,703 |
| 2008 | 5,406 | 59% | 57% | +1.6 points | 119,810 |
| 2007 | 5,283 | 59% | 57% | +1.8 points | 126,076 |
| 2006 | 3,533 | 54% | 56% | −2.7 points | 127,926 |
| 2005 | 2,048 | 59% | 56% | +2.5 points | 129,247 |
| 2004 | 1,728 | 60% | 56% | +4.2 points | 132,035 |
| 2003 | 1,358 | 60% | 57% | +3.1 points | 128,950 |
| 2002 | 652 | 62% | 58% | +4.2 points | 123,179 |
| 2001 | 325 | 63% | 59% | +4.1 points | 126,195 |
| 2000 | 79 | 56% | 61% | −4.9 points | 117,079 |
Why the SEAT Leon fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Leon | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 7.3% | 8.9% |
| Tyres | 6.8% | 6.3% |
| Lights and electrics | 6.4% | 11.3% |
| Brakes | 5.3% | 6.8% |
| Visibility | 3.7% | 4.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.7% | 3.1% |
| Body and structure | 2.3% | 3.5% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.8% | 1.0% |
| Steering | 0.5% | 1.8% |
| Road Wheels | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1fractured or broken3.0%
- 2tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.8%
- 3not working2.3%
- 4less than 1.5 mm thick2.2%
- 5has a serious fluid leak1.8%
- 6provides insufficient washer liquid1.5%
- 7has ply or cords exposed1.5%
- 8inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.4%
- 9ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.4%
- 10too low1.3%
Common Leon MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Leon, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 16.6% |
| has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 14.8% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 10.0% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 8.8% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 8.2% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 2.9% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.9% |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | Non-component advisories | 2.8% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 2.6% |
| corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 2.4% |
Tips to help your Leon pass
Based on where Leons most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 6.4% of Leon tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 5.3% of Leon tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the Leon ULEZ compliant? See the SEAT Leon ULEZ check, or view all SEAT models.
Other SEAT models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 185,889 first MOT tests of the SEAT Leon carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 185,889 first MOT tests of the SEAT Leon.
What is the SEAT Leon MOT failure rate?
In our data, 23% of 185,889 first MOT attempts on the SEAT Leon ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a SEAT Leon fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were suspension (7.3% of tests), tyres (6.8% of tests), lights and electrics (6.4% of tests).
Which Leon year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2014 cars performed best: 79% passed first time, +7.1 points against the average for 9-year-old cars. The weakest was 2000, at 56% (−4.9 points).
How many miles had a typical SEAT Leon covered at its MOT?
The average was 73,320 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 26,762 miles and 2000 cars 117,079.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the SEAT Leon?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 16.6% of tests, in the tyres area. 6.8% of Leons failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Leon's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 185,889 Leons in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 54% to 93% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
Check any Leon's MOT history
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