Family hatchback · 2000–2021 cars

SEAT Leon reliability

The SEAT Leon fails 23.2% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 598,617 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 62/100#15 of 65 family hatchbacks

Checking a SEAT Leon before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 23.2%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 14% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 598,617; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 9,500; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The SEAT Leon is a solid pick among family hatchbacks. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 23.2%, against 28.4% for all cars, and it has 14% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. It ranks 15 of 65 family hatchback models. The 2014 model year is the standout, with 29% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. The 2019 model year is weaker, with 9% more, so look at that one more closely.

Whichever year you're considering, check these first. A fractured or broken coil spring is the most common failure, in 2.48% of tests. Tyre tread below 1.6mm follows at 2.37%, then brake pads worn below 1.5mm at 1.92% and a serious shock absorber fluid leak at 1.73%. Ask for the MOT history, then inspect the springs, tyres, brakes and shock absorbers.

MOT fail rate by age

How the SEAT Leon ages

Each point is the share of SEAT Leons of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

SEAT LeonAll cars

SEAT Leon first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	SEAT Leon	All cars
3	13.3%	12.3%
4	14.8%	14.1%
5	16.7%	16.4%
6	17.2%	19.1%
7	18.4%	22.1%
8	20.5%	25.5%
9	22.9%	28.8%
10	26.3%	31.8%
11	31.6%	34.6%
12	35.7%	37.3%
13	37.7%	39.5%
14	38.3%	41.1%
15	39.4%	42.3%
16	42.7%	42.9%
17	42.5%	43.4%
18	40.8%	43.5%
19	38.8%	43.4%
20	38.2%	42.8%
21	37.2%	41.4%
22	40.8%	40.6%
23	35%	38.9%

By year

The best and worst SEAT Leon years

2014 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

SEAT Leon MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 Leon	3,954	11.1%	10% fewer fails	28,128
2020 Leon	25,561	12.7%	4% fewer fails	31,745
2019 Leon	56,764	15.7%	9% more fails	35,867
2018 Leon	71,079	15.6%	2% fewer fails	41,625
2017 Leon	60,624	16.6%	12% fewer fails	51,718
2016 Leon	53,173	17.5%	20% fewer fails	60,862
2015 Leon	57,909	19.3%	25% fewer fails	72,294
2014 Leon	64,088	20.8%	29% fewer fails	82,420
2013 Leon	40,363	24.7%	23% fewer fails	90,240
2012 Leon	32,034	30.7%	14% fewer fails	98,927
2011 Leon	24,018	34.6%	10% fewer fails	105,061
2010 Leon	21,365	36.9%	9% fewer fails	112,468
2009 Leon	18,397	38.1%	9% fewer fails	113,694
2008 Leon	18,549	39.7%	9% fewer fails	118,919
2007 Leon	17,658	40.9%	8% fewer fails	124,511
2006 Leon	11,934	44.7%	1% fewer fails	126,755
2005 Leon	7,046	40.8%	10% fewer fails	126,991
2004 Leon	5,809	38.5%	15% fewer fails	130,039
2003 Leon	4,613	39.9%	11% fewer fails	127,419
2002 Leon	2,336	38.6%	12% fewer fails	123,755
2001 Leon	1,085	40.8%	5% fewer fails	124,688
2000	258	47.7%	18% more fails	113,271

Common problems

What fails most on a SEAT Leon

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Suspension7.4%8% below avg
Lights and electrics6.5%36% below avg
Tyres6.5%0% below avg
Brakes5.4%13% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.7%15% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.8%2% below avg
Body, chassis and structure2.4%18% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.8%10% below avg
Steering0.5%69% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.48% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.37% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.92% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
4
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.73% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
5
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.33% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
6
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.27% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
7
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.14% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
8
Headlamp aim set too low 1.1% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a SEAT Leon's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit14.3%
Shock absorber light oil misting13.05%
Brake pads wearing thin8.55%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking7.59%
Brake disc pitted or scored7.19%
Engine oil leak, not excessive2.65%

Before you buy

What to check on a used SEAT Leon

1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
4
Shock absorber serious fluid leak
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical SEAT Leon covers about 9,500 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol53.9%
Diesel45.6%
Hybrid0.3%
Other0.2%
LPG0%
Electric0%

Most common colours

Grey, Black, White, Blue, Red

Average engine size: 1.6 litres.

Compare

How the SEAT Leon compares with its rivals

SEAT Leon against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Toyota Prius	20.9%	31% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Skoda Octavia	24.7%	16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
SEAT Leon	23.2%	14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota Auris	26.2%	11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot 308	35.2%	18% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Megane	45.1%	30% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Citroën C4	39.4%	30% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all SEAT models.

Questions

SEAT Leon questions, answered

Is the SEAT Leon reliable?

On MOT results, the SEAT Leon is about average: it fails 23.2% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 15 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.

What fails most on a SEAT Leon MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the SEAT Leon are coil spring fractured or broken (2.48% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.37% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.92% of tests). By area, suspension fails 7.4% of its tests.

Which SEAT Leon year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2014 cars do best (29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2019 cars do worst (9% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a SEAT Leon do a year?

A typical SEAT Leon covers about 9,500 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a SEAT Leon before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

Found a SEAT Leon? Check it free.

MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.