SEAT Leon: what fails at MOT
268,000 MOT tests on the SEAT Leon in 2024, counted. 21.4% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
21.4% of SEAT Leon tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 23.3%, so the Leon is about average for its age.
It fails most often on suspension (4.7% of tests), tyres (4.4% of tests) and lights and electrics (3.8% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,536 | 10.8% | 10.9% | 26,400 18,800 to 36,900 |
| 2020 | 22,128 | 12.3% | 11.5% | 32,400 24,400 to 42,900 |
| 2019 | 31,378 | 15.6% | 13.4% | 40,400 30,600 to 53,100 |
| 2018 | 28,379 | 16.7% | 15.6% | 49,900 38,900 to 63,500 |
| 2017 | 23,955 | 17.4% | 18.2% | 60,500 47,300 to 76,200 |
| 2016 | 21,185 | 18.1% | 21.3% | 69,000 53,900 to 87,100 |
| 2015 | 23,091 | 19.7% | 24.4% | 80,700 63,100 to 100,400 |
| 2014 | 25,865 | 21.1% | 27.7% | 90,100 71,600 to 111,800 |
| 2013 | 16,486 | 24.1% | 30.6% | 98,000 78,200 to 119,600 |
| 2012 | 13,180 | 30.8% | 33.4% | 105,800 85,500 to 127,800 |
| 2011 | 9,633 | 34.3% | 36.1% | 110,800 89,500 to 134,600 |
| 2010 | 8,348 | 35.5% | 38.6% | 117,500 95,200 to 142,500 |
| 2009 | 6,910 | 35.5% | 39.8% | 119,000 94,700 to 142,000 |
| 2008 | 7,041 | 38.1% | 41.5% | 123,300 99,800 to 144,700 |
| 2007 | 6,105 | 40.9% | 41.5% | 127,300 105,200 to 152,000 |
| 2006 | 3,953 | 42.6% | 42.4% | 128,600 105,700 to 153,200 |
| 2005 | 2,464 | 37.7% | 42.2% | 127,300 102,600 to 152,200 |
| 2004 | 1,989 | 35.2% | 42.3% | 131,400 106,100 to 161,000 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of SEAT Leon tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Leon | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 4.7% | 4.6% |
| Tyres | 4.4% | 4.0% |
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 3.8% | 5.9% |
| Brakes | 3.5% | 3.7% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.4% | 2.7% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.7% | 1.6% |
| Body and structure | 1.3% | 1.7% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.4% | 0.5% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.8%
- Headlamp aim1.9%
- Tyre tread1.8%
- Coil spring1.8%
- Brake pads1.6%
- Washers1.4%
- Shock absorbers1.3%
- Wipers0.9%
- Engine warning light0.9%
- Footbrake0.9%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.8%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.7%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.3%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.0%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.0%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.9%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.9%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.8%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.8%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge12.3%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil10.3%
- Brake pads: wearing thin6.4%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.8%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.5%
- Coil spring: corroded1.9%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive1.9%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.7%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a SEAT Leon's own MOT record
Looking at a Leon? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.