Is the SEAT Leon ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 185,889 MOT tests, around 66% of SEAT Leons still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 21% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 13%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 56% petrol, 44% diesel. Petrol Leons are generally compliant from 2006, while petrol cars from 2000 or earlier are likely to be charged. Diesel Leons are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 66%
- Likely charged
- 21%
- Depends on the car
- 13%
- MOT tests analysed
- 185,889
Check a specific Leon
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
Leon ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many Leons of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Likely compliant278 tested | Likely compliant11 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant11,147 tested | Likely compliant1,592 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant16,376 tested | Likely compliant3,372 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant16,713 tested | Likely compliant4,487 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant12,324 tested | Likely compliant5,951 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant9,296 tested | Likely compliant6,663 tested |
| 2015 | Likely compliant8,347 tested | Check exact car8,954 tested |
| 2014 | Likely compliant7,467 tested | Check exact car11,498 tested |
| 2013 | Likely compliant4,214 tested | Likely charged7,556 tested |
| 2012 | Likely compliant1,735 tested | Likely charged7,515 tested |
| 2011 | Likely compliant2,198 tested | Likely charged4,795 tested |
| 2010 | Likely compliant1,713 tested | Likely charged4,609 tested |
| 2009 | Likely compliant1,882 tested | Likely charged3,589 tested |
| 2008 | Likely compliant2,232 tested | Likely charged3,174 tested |
| 2007 | Likely compliant2,017 tested | Likely charged3,266 tested |
| 2006 | Likely compliant1,428 tested | Likely charged2,105 tested |
| 2005 | Check Euro standard1,064 tested | Likely charged984 tested |
| 2004 | Check Euro standard1,077 tested | Likely charged649 tested |
| 2003 | Check Euro standard1,087 tested | Likely charged271 tested |
| 2002 | Check Euro standard510 tested | Likely charged142 tested |
| 2001 | Check Euro standard258 tested | Likely charged66 tested |
| 2000 | Likely charged67 tested | Likely charged11 tested |
How ULEZ rules apply to the Leon
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Petrol (56% of Leons tested): likely compliant from 2006; 2000 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Diesel (44% of Leons tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
Leons from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (13% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or SEAT can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how Leons fare at the MOT too: see the SEAT Leon MOT failure rate.
Buying a used SEAT Leon for London: what the MOT data shows
The SEAT Leons in this data were first registered between 2000 and 2021. 2018 was the most common year, with 21,200 tests (11% of the total), and half were registered in 2015 or later.
Leons from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 81% of the time, at an average of 58,914 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 65% of the time with 109,342 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest petrol Leons likely to comply are from 2006. 1,428 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 54% of the time and averaged 127,926 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest diesel Leons likely to comply are from 2016. 6,663 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 82% of the time and averaged 63,957 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the Leon's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were suspension: "fractured or broken" (3.0% of tests); tyres: "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" (2.8%); lights and electrics: "not working" (2.3%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 16.6% of tests.
Overall, 77% of Leons passed first time, noticeably above the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 73,320 miles on average, close to the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other SEAT models
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.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 185,889 MOT tests say about the SEAT Leon and London's ULEZ.
Is the SEAT Leon ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 66% of Leons on the road are likely compliant and 21% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol Leon years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol Leons first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel Leon ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel Leons from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific Leon is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
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- Buying a used car · 6 min readHow to check if a car has been clocked using MOT mileage historyWinding back an odometer takes minutes with a laptop, but every MOT logs the reading publicly. A step-by-step method, with worked examples, for spotting the gaps.Read the guide
Is your Leon ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.