2003 SEAT Leon · 4,613 MOT tests
2003 SEAT Leon reliability
2003 SEAT Leons fail 39.9% of first MOT tests, 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 9 of 21 Leon years (4,613 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all SEAT Leons: 23.2%)
- 39.9%
- first-time fail rate (all SEAT Leons: 23.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 11% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 127,419
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 4,613
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 10.9% of tests fail here (38% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: suspension, 35% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 SEAT Leon
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics20%
- Suspension11.8%
- Brakes11.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks10.9%
- Body, chassis and structure9.9%
- Tyres6.4%
- Steering6.3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 3.95%
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Position lamp not working 3.95%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Stop lamp not working 3.64%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.62%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.03%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.97%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (15.65%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (13.81%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (12.68%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (12.66%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (9.65%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (9.15%)
Other years
Every SEAT Leon year
The full picture: SEAT Leon reliability. Before you pay for any SEAT Leon, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 SEAT Leon reliable?
2003 SEAT Leons fail 39.9% of first MOT tests, 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 9 of 21 Leon years (4,613 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 SEAT Leon MOT?
Most often engine warning light inoperative or lit (3.95% of tests), position lamp not working (3.95% of tests), stop lamp not working (3.64% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 SEAT Leon have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 SEAT Leon shows 127,419 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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