SEAT Leon MOT pass rate: 78.7% (160,327 tests, 2025)

The SEAT Leon passed 78.7% of its 160,327 MOT tests in 2025 — 1.2 points above the UK average of 77.5%. The median tested example was 10 years old with 80,660 miles on the clock.
78.7%Pass rate (2025)
160,327MOT tests analysed
80,660 miMedian mileage at test
10 yrsMedian age at test

How the Leon compares

SEAT Leon

78.7%

UK average (all Class 4 vehicles)

77.5% across 33.1 million tests

SEAT average (all models)

78.4%

What fails most on the SEAT Leon

Across failed and rectified tests in 2025, these vehicle systems produced the most defects on the Leon:

#SystemDefects recordedShare
1Suspension22,43529.5%
2Tyres14,02718.4%
3Brakes13,87518.2%
4Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment10,33513.6%
5Noise, emissions and leaks5,1896.8%
6Visibility4,9646.5%

Pre-MOT checklist for Leon owners

Based on the failure profile above, ten minutes with a torch before your test removes the most likely fail items:

  • Bounce each corner and listen for clonks over speed bumps — suspension is this model’s (and the UK’s) top failure system
  • Check tread with the 20p test and inspect sidewalls for cracking — tyres close to the limit are the country’s most common advisory
  • Feel for a spongy pedal or pulling to one side; check pad wear through the wheel spokes if visible
  • Walk round with all lights on: one blown bulb is the most avoidable fail there is
  • A blowing exhaust or visible smoke will fail; warm the engine fully before the test
Check the engine before the tester does

A stored fault code with the engine light on is an automatic Major defect. Scan and clear resolved faults before booking.

Leon pass rate by registration year

Lower age-adjusted outliers to inspect carefully: 2018, 2019, 2020. Strongest age-adjusted years: 2003, 2014. Full ranking and method: SEAT Leon years to avoid.

Registration yearTestsPass rateVs same-ageMedian mileage
2002 1,574 69.5% +3.8 pts 123,478
2003 3,229 70.1% +5.1 pts 128,275
2004 4,154 69.1% +4.8 pts 131,781
2005 4,886 68.5% +4.1 pts 128,702
2006 8,211 63.5% -0.9 pts 127,367
2007 12,513 67.0% +1.9 pts 126,039
2008 13,529 67.0% +1.9 pts 120,622
2009 14,177 68.0% +1.6 pts 116,402
2010 16,837 68.3% +0.9 pts 116,558
2011 19,101 70.2% +1.0 pts 109,143
2012 25,926 72.8% +1.6 pts 104,016
2013 34,022 78.0% +4.7 pts 95,802
2014 54,997 81.8% +6.0 pts 88,890
2015 50,584 83.0% +4.3 pts 78,794
2016 46,784 84.4% +3.0 pts 67,990
2017 53,728 84.4% +0.4 pts 59,108
2018 62,060 84.5% -1.9 pts 49,060
2019 53,087 84.4% -4.0 pts 40,082
2020 20,712 87.2% -2.7 pts 32,804

Check a specific Leon before you buy

Pass rates describe the model; they can’t tell you about the one car you’re looking at. Run its plate through our free MOT history check to see its personal record of failures, advisories and mileage readings.

Other SEAT models

Ibiza71.6% pass rate · 186,442 tests Arona85.0% pass rate · 41,799 tests Ateca89.4% pass rate · 38,935 tests Alhambra78.6% pass rate · 25,888 tests Mii80.9% pass rate · 17,185 tests Altea66.3% pass rate · 11,126 tests Tarraco85.9% pass rate · 6,852 tests Leon Fr TSI Evo90.3% pass rate · 6,005 tests

FAQs

What is the MOT pass rate for a SEAT Leon?

In 2025, 78.7% of 160,327 first MOT tests on the SEAT Leon were passes (UK average: 77.5%). Data: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

What does the Leon fail its MOT on most?

The biggest defect group is suspension (29.5% of its recorded defects), followed by tyres.

Is the SEAT Leon reliable?

MOT pass rate is one lens on durability: at 78.7% it performs above the national average at a median age of 10 years and 80,660 miles. Always check the individual car's history too.

Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 extract (Class 4 initial tests only; retests excluded). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures rounded to one decimal place.