2008 SEAT Leon · 18,549 MOT tests
2008 SEAT Leon reliability
2008 SEAT Leons fail 39.7% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 15 of 21 Leon years (18,549 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
Looking at a 2008 SEAT Leon?
See its own MOT history and mileage, free.
- first-time fail rate (all SEAT Leons: 23.2%)
- 39.7%
- first-time fail rate (all SEAT Leons: 23.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 9% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 15
- 118,919
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 15
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 18,549
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2008 against the years either side
- 2007 cars: 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2008 car does better)
- 2009 cars: 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2008 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 8.3% of tests fail here (27% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 60% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2008 car carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
Common problems
What fails on a 2008 SEAT Leon
Fail rate by area
- Suspension17%
- Lights and electrics16%
- Brakes11%
- Body, chassis and structure9.2%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks8.3%
- Tyres7.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 6.08%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.05%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.33%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Position lamp not working 3.27%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 3.16%
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.13%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (17.58%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.07%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (7.45%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (7.42%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.34%) · Brake pads wearing thin (6.76%)
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 2008 SEAT Leon reliable?
2008 SEAT Leons fail 39.7% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 15 of 21 Leon years (18,549 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2008 SEAT Leon MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (6.08% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (4.05% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (3.33% of tests).
How many miles should a 2008 SEAT Leon have done?
At its MOT aged about 15, a typical 2008 SEAT Leon shows 118,919 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2008 car?
A car first registered in 2008 carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
Check a 2008 SEAT Leon free
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.