SEAT Leon Reliability: MOT Pass Rate by Year & Engine

Verdict

The SEAT Leon passes its MOT first time on 75.3% of tests, 3.7 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (71.7%). That puts it ahead of 69% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2014 Leon does best (beats 90% of cars) and the 2019 worst (beats 29%).

Of its engines, the 1.8 Petrol does best (beats 82%) and the 1.5 Petrol worst (beats 36%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, steering.

Watch these weak spots

Shock absorbers2.0×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

SEAT LeonTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

Beats 59%

Beats 61%

Beats 63%

Beats 67%

Beats 60%

Beats 56%

Beats 64%

Beats 64%

Beats 61%

Beats 64%

Beats 69%

Beats 72%

Beats 84%

Beats 90%

Beats 84%

Beats 78%

Beats 67%

Beats 53%

Beats 29%

Beats 44%

Beats 61%

Beats 67%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

Engine	Years	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	2005–2020	309,694	74.3%	Beats 79%	B
1.6 Diesel	2010–2020	291,146	74.5%	Beats 69%	B
1.4 Petrol	2002–2018	241,426	80.5%	Beats 73%	B
1.2 Petrol	2010–2018	162,780	79.4%	Beats 72%	B
1.5 Petrol	2018–2022	108,383	84.0%	Beats 36%	D
2.0 Petrol	2006–2020	101,895	79.9%	Beats 82%	A
1.9 Diesel	2001–2010	95,320	56.4%	Beats 59%	C
1.8 Petrol	2001–2018	55,973	72.4%	Beats 82%	A
1.6 Petrol	2001–2010	55,338	54.5%	Beats 45%	C
1.0 Petrol	2017–2022	26,086	83.1%	Beats 30%	D
1.4 Hybrid	2020–2021	8,920	87.1%	Beats 66%	B
1.5 Hybrid	2020–2021	4,979	88.2%	Beats 67%	B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical

Exhaust: 2.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Suspension

7.8% vs 8.4%

Lights & electrics

7.3% vs 11.2%

Tyres

6.9% vs 6.9%

Brakes

5.6% vs 6.7%

Visibility

4.0% vs 4.7%

Emissions & leaks

2.9% vs 2.9%

Body & structure

2.6% vs 3.0%

Seat belts & airbags

0.9% vs 0.9%

Steering

0.7% vs 1.7%

Wheels

0.4% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Shock absorbers 2.0× typical
Push down hard on each corner: it should rebound once and settle. Look for oily dampers.
Tyre damage & cracking
Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
Headlight aim
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
Tyre tread depth
Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
Coil springs
Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
Brake pads
Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

SEAT LeonTypical car

Most common MOT failures

Item	This car	Typical	vs typical
Tyre damage & cracking	3.7%	3.7%	1.0×
Headlight aim	3.2%	3.2%	1.0×
Tyre tread depth	3.0%	2.9%	1.0×
Coil springs	2.9%	2.3%	1.3×
Brake pads	2.3%	2.3%	1.0×
Windscreen washers	2.1%	2.1%	1.0×
Shock absorbers	2.0%	1.0%	2.0×
Windscreen wipers	1.6%	2.2%	0.7×
Sidelights	1.3%	2.6%	0.5×
Brake performance	1.2%	1.0%	1.2×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defect	per 1,000
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	32.3
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements	29.7
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened	29.2
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm	21.4
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen	20.8
A tyre seriously damaged	20.7
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage	19.3
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen	15.8

Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2022 SEAT Leon2 engines88.7% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Petrol	3,050	89.3%	Beats 74%	B
1.0 Petrol	1,439	87.2%	Beats 54%	C

2021 SEAT Leon4 engines87.3% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Petrol	13,623	88.4%	Beats 69%	B
1.0 Petrol	7,685	85.3%	Beats 33%	D
1.4 Hybrid	6,008	86.7%	Beats 64%	B
1.5 Hybrid	3,475	88.7%	Beats 72%	B

2020 SEAT Leon7 engines85.1% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Petrol	28,918	85.6%	Beats 47%	C
2.0 Petrol	7,586	87.0%	Beats 60%	B
1.0 Petrol	5,676	83.1%	Beats 17%	E
2.0 Diesel	3,215	84.0%	Beats 52%	C
1.4 Hybrid	2,912	87.8%	Beats 72%	B
1.6 Diesel	2,583	75.2%	Beats 12%	E
1.5 Hybrid	1,504	87.1%	Beats 56%	C

2019 SEAT Leon5 engines82.0% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Petrol	52,093	81.7%	Beats 20%	D
2.0 Petrol	22,109	86.8%	Beats 70%	B
1.6 Diesel	11,159	75.3%	Beats 11%	E
2.0 Diesel	4,508	79.9%	Beats 28%	D
1.0 Petrol	4,440	80.2%	Beats 15%	E

2018 SEAT Leon8 engines82.9% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.4 Petrol	46,106	82.9%	Beats 48%	C
1.2 Petrol	18,456	81.1%	Beats 31%	D
2.0 Diesel	13,975	83.3%	Beats 67%	B
1.6 Diesel	12,441	78.8%	Beats 38%	D
2.0 Petrol	11,069	87.0%	Beats 80%	B
1.5 Petrol	10,699	83.7%	Beats 50%	C
1.8 Petrol	8,839	86.9%	Beats 79%	B
1.0 Petrol	2,920	81.3%	Beats 33%	D

2017 SEAT Leon7 engines83.1% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.4 Petrol	51,140	84.2%	Beats 70%	B
2.0 Diesel	23,153	83.6%	Beats 80%	B
1.2 Petrol	18,990	81.7%	Beats 52%	C
1.6 Diesel	17,481	78.7%	Beats 50%	C
2.0 Petrol	6,635	86.9%	Beats 88%	A
1.0 Petrol	3,926	81.7%	Beats 56%	C
1.8 Petrol	3,099	86.5%	Beats 83%	A

2016 SEAT Leon6 engines82.7% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.4 Petrol	39,139	84.2%	Beats 82%	A
2.0 Diesel	29,557	82.0%	Beats 80%	A
1.6 Diesel	22,743	79.6%	Beats 68%	B
1.2 Petrol	20,711	82.8%	Beats 71%	B
2.0 Petrol	8,918	85.0%	Beats 85%	A
1.8 Petrol	3,939	85.1%	Beats 84%	A

2015 SEAT Leon6 engines81.9% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	41,261	82.1%	Beats 89%	A
1.4 Petrol	38,468	83.8%	Beats 88%	A
1.6 Diesel	38,424	78.7%	Beats 73%	B
1.2 Petrol	26,660	82.1%	Beats 78%	B
2.0 Petrol	6,723	85.6%	Beats 95%	A
1.8 Petrol	1,917	86.2%	Beats 96%	A

2014 SEAT Leon6 engines80.4% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	58,998	78.4%	Beats 84%	A
2.0 Diesel	43,170	80.3%	Beats 92%	A
1.2 Petrol	31,000	82.2%	Beats 91%	A
1.4 Petrol	25,666	81.9%	Beats 91%	A
2.0 Petrol	4,718	85.0%	Beats 97%	A
1.8 Petrol	4,329	83.7%	Beats 96%	A

2013 SEAT Leon5 engines76.5% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	38,366	74.5%	Beats 79%	B
2.0 Diesel	29,346	77.0%	Beats 89%	A
1.2 Petrol	20,191	77.7%	Beats 84%	A
1.4 Petrol	13,296	77.5%	Beats 83%	A
1.8 Petrol	3,727	82.7%	Beats 96%	A

2012 SEAT Leon5 engines71.0% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	47,177	69.2%	Beats 67%	B
2.0 Diesel	20,119	73.3%	Beats 83%	A
1.2 Petrol	11,671	72.7%	Beats 72%	B
2.0 Petrol	1,567	79.3%	Beats 95%	A
1.4 Petrol	1,566	72.0%	Beats 67%	B

2011 SEAT Leon5 engines67.8% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	28,489	66.4%	Beats 66%	B
2.0 Diesel	14,241	69.0%	Beats 77%	B
1.2 Petrol	12,858	67.3%	Beats 61%	B
1.4 Petrol	3,195	69.6%	Beats 69%	B
2.0 Petrol	2,891	76.5%	Beats 94%	A

2010 SEAT Leon7 engines63.3% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	19,623	64.7%	Beats 71%	B
1.6 Diesel	13,285	61.5%	Beats 59%	C
1.9 Diesel	8,309	59.4%	Beats 52%	C
1.4 Petrol	6,678	62.6%	Beats 57%	C
2.0 Petrol	4,013	73.0%	Beats 91%	A
1.6 Petrol	2,284	61.1%	Beats 50%	C
1.2 Petrol	2,243	62.9%	Beats 55%	C

2009 SEAT Leon5 engines60.8% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	20,515	58.2%	Beats 53%	C
2.0 Diesel	12,187	63.0%	Beats 71%	B
1.6 Petrol	7,810	59.3%	Beats 45%	C
1.4 Petrol	6,074	61.4%	Beats 58%	C
2.0 Petrol	3,125	72.5%	Beats 94%	A

2008 SEAT Leon5 engines60.2% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	18,513	60.6%	Beats 68%	B
1.9 Diesel	12,739	57.6%	Beats 59%	C
1.6 Petrol	8,849	56.7%	Beats 49%	C
2.0 Petrol	7,731	68.0%	Beats 85%	A
1.4 Petrol	4,044	59.0%	Beats 56%	C

2007 SEAT Leon4 engines58.9% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	20,518	59.6%	Beats 68%	B
1.9 Diesel	15,202	57.1%	Beats 60%	B
1.6 Petrol	10,043	55.5%	Beats 47%	C
2.0 Petrol	9,540	63.9%	Beats 78%	B

2006 SEAT Leon5 engines54.9% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	14,265	55.9%	Beats 61%	B
1.9 Diesel	11,510	54.9%	Beats 58%	C
1.6 Petrol	9,551	52.3%	Beats 41%	C
2.0 Petrol	5,270	55.3%	Beats 55%	C
1.8 Petrol	1,039	62.1%	Beats 75%	B

2005 SEAT Leon5 engines55.3% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	10,293	54.9%	Beats 62%	B
1.8 Petrol	6,295	62.0%	Beats 79%	B
1.6 Petrol	5,187	49.5%	Beats 34%	D
2.0 Diesel	2,043	53.9%	Beats 59%	C
1.4 Petrol	1,042	51.2%	Beats 37%	D

2004 SEAT Leon4 engines56.7% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	8,571	54.3%	Beats 63%	B
1.8 Petrol	7,350	63.4%	Beats 85%	A
1.6 Petrol	4,963	52.5%	Beats 52%	C
1.4 Petrol	1,208	50.7%	Beats 39%	D

2003 SEAT Leon4 engines55.3% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	8,347	60.8%	Beats 79%	B
1.9 Diesel	4,238	51.9%	Beats 58%	C
1.6 Petrol	3,332	51.7%	Beats 49%	C
1.4 Petrol	2,446	47.5%	Beats 32%	D

2002 SEAT Leon4 engines54.8% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	4,594	59.5%	Beats 74%	B
1.9 Diesel	2,585	53.3%	Beats 61%	B
1.6 Petrol	2,048	48.7%	Beats 37%	D
1.4 Petrol	1,358	51.4%	Beats 43%	C

2001 SEAT Leon3 engines54.1% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	2,498	56.8%	Beats 66%	B
1.9 Diesel	1,358	51.7%	Beats 55%	C
1.6 Petrol	1,271	51.4%	Beats 45%	C

FAQ

What is the SEAT Leon MOT pass rate?

75.3% of MOT tests on the SEAT Leon were passed first time, based on 1,461,940 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2001–2022. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 71.7% of the time.

Is the SEAT Leon reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 69% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which SEAT Leon year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2014 Leon does best for its age and mileage: it beats 90% of cars on UK roads. The 2019 does worst: it beats 29%.

Which SEAT Leon engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.8 Petrol does best: it beats 82% of cars on UK roads. The 1.5 Petrol does worst: it beats 36%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the SEAT Leon?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, headlight aim, tyre tread depth. Compared with similar cars, shock absorbers comes up 2.0× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.

SEAT Leon reliability

Verdict

Watch these weak spots

MOT pass rate by age

Best and worst years

Engines

Where it fails

Every MOT area

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Pass rate by mileage

Most common MOT failures

Specific defects found

Every year and engine

FAQ