2012 SEAT Leon · 32,034 MOT tests
2012 SEAT Leon reliability
2012 SEAT Leons fail 30.7% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 6 of 21 Leon years (32,034 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all SEAT Leons: 23.2%)
- 30.7%
- first-time fail rate (all SEAT Leons: 23.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 14% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 98,927
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 32,034
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does better)
- 2013 cars: 23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- Strong point: windscreen, wipers and mirrors, 35% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 SEAT Leon
Fail rate by area
- Suspension11.7%
- Lights and electrics10.4%
- Brakes8.5%
- Tyres7.7%
- Body, chassis and structure4.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 3.05%
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.77%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.5%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.38%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn 1.89%
A worn linkage ball joint can rattle, affect handling and eventually fail, so it should be replaced.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.78%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (17.16%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (10.35%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (10.22%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.4%) · Brake pads wearing thin (7.35%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (5.72%)
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 2012 SEAT Leon reliable?
2012 SEAT Leons fail 30.7% of first MOT tests, 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 6 of 21 Leon years (32,034 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 SEAT Leon MOT?
Most often shock absorber serious fluid leak (3.05% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.77% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.5% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 SEAT Leon have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 SEAT Leon shows 98,927 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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