In 2025, 160,795 SEAT Leon cars had a regular MOT in Great Britain. 74% passed first time, compared with 72% for all cars of the same ages, which makes the Leon about average. Adjusted for age, it ranks 109 of the 217 most-tested car models.
That comparison matters: older cars fail more often, so a raw pass rate flatters models that are mostly young. We compare each model against every car on the road at the same age.
Pass rate by age
At 5 years old, 82% of Leons passed first time (all cars that age: 86%). By 20 years, that figure is 60% (all cars: 58%). It is weaker than average when young but holds up better than most from around 9 years.
SEAT Leon All cars of that age
| Age | Tests | Leon passed first time | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 years | 6,830 | 82% | 86% | 47,561 |
| 6 years | 17,755 | 78% | 84% | 54,244 |
| 7 years | 20,945 | 78% | 81% | 61,532 |
| 8 years | 18,031 | 78% | 78% | 71,342 |
| 9 years | 15,590 | 80% | 75% | 79,778 |
| 10 years | 16,728 | 79% | 72% | 90,292 |
| 11 years | 18,108 | 77% | 69% | 99,608 |
| 12 years | 11,053 | 71% | 66% | 104,912 |
| 13 years | 8,074 | 66% | 63% | 112,387 |
| 14 years | 5,782 | 64% | 61% | 117,361 |
| 15 years | 5,009 | 61% | 59% | 123,071 |
| 16 years | 4,031 | 60% | 58% | 121,323 |
| 17 years | 3,692 | 60% | 57% | 124,876 |
| 18 years | 3,208 | 60% | 57% | 129,288 |
| 19 years | 2,047 | 55% | 57% | 129,233 |
| 20 years | 1,258 | 60% | 58% | 130,657 |
What fails most on a SEAT Leon
No single area stands out: the Leon fails on each part of the test at roughly the rate you would expect. It does comparatively well on steering and lights and electrics.
Share of Leon tests failing on this area Average car
The six most common failure items
| Failure item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | Suspension | 5.2% |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | Lights and electrics | 4.1% |
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | Tyres | 3.7% |
| A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | Suspension | 3.3% |
| A tyre seriously damaged | Tyres | 2.8% |
| A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | Brakes | 2.8% |
What to check when buying a used Leon
Based on where the Leon fails more often than other cars, these are the checks worth making before you buy:
- Tyres: Check tread across the whole width (uneven wear hints at alignment or suspension faults), and look for cuts, bulges and mismatched brands. Repair guide
- Suspension: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, look for leaking shock absorbers, and check the car sits level. Ask whether springs, bushes or drop links have been replaced. Repair guide
- Emissions and leaks: Look for oil and coolant leaks underneath, listen for exhaust blows on a cold start, and watch for smoke when revving. Repair guide
Then check the individual car: its own MOT history will show whether it follows the pattern. A car with repeated advisories in the same weak area is more likely to fail its next test.
Check a specific Leon
Enter the registration to see its full MOT history, mileage record and reliability score, compared with these figures.
Check a LeonFrequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for a SEAT Leon?
In 2025, 74% of SEAT Leon cars passed their MOT first time, across 160,795 tests. Cars of the same ages averaged 72%.
What do SEAT Leon cars most often fail their MOT on?
The most common failure items were: a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened (5.2% of tests); the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements (4.1% of tests); tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements (3.7% of tests).
Other SEAT models
SEAT Ibiza (66%), SEAT Arona (83%), SEAT Ateca (87%), SEAT Alhambra (74%). All SEAT models
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 (class 4 normal tests; first-time pass means passed with no faults fixed at the test). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.