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Cupra Leon reliability by build year

Coverage 2020-present1 named generationHatchbackPETROL / HYBRID ELECTRIC

We've only got 939 MOT tests for Cupra Leons built around 2022 (3 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Cupra Leon built around 2022: more fails still not passed 3 days later

Cupra Leons built around 2022 fail an MOT and still haven’t passed 3 days later more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check a Cupra Leon by number plate

Key figure

4.0% of MOT tests on Cupra Leons built around 2022 failed and still hadn’t passed 3 days later. For similar cars the same age, it was 1.5%.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Cupra Leons built around 2022 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Cupra Leon's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Leon's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Leon Mk4

Mk4 (2020-present)

Not enough tests to rate
HYBRID ELECTRICPETROL

16.4% fail rate, built around 2021 (4 years old)

Likely between 13.7% and 19.7%

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 9 MOTs, 11.4%)

From 584 MOT tests at this ageView details →

By age

Cupra Leon fail rate by age

This chart combines every Cupra Leon ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
93913.0%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
61816.3%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 4 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 3-year-old Cupra Leons

These issues come from 3-year-old Cupra Leons, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    14.9%
    Advisory: 187Fail: 13 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.2%
    Advisory: 138Fail: 71 (34% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    7.1%
    Advisory: 85Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    5.9%
    Advisory: 35Fail: 34 (49% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    4.9%
    Advisory: 57Fail: 9 (14% of the times it was found)

Based on 939 MOT tests on 3-year-old Cupra Leons, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 3-year-old Cupra Leons notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelNot much data
  1. Brakes + Tyres30%
  2. Other + Tyres25%
  3. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers20%
  4. Suspension + Tyres18%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 136 MOT tests on Cupra Leon cars built around 2022 (3 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Cupra Leon.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

1 recall in all

1 Cupra Leon recall covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 recall

Top concerns

  • On certain vehicles with electromechanical brake servo and DSG (direct shift gearbox) of a limited production period the

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Mazda 2

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.4%
    Dangerous
    2.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.2%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 13.0% for the Cupra Leon, both built around 2022.

    4,330 MOT tests on cars built around 2022

  2. 2

    Toyota Prius

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    6.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.7%
    Dangerous
    1.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Lower fail rate: 6.2%, against 13.0% for the Cupra Leon, both built around 2022.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,509 MOT tests on cars built around 2022

  3. 3

    Toyota Yaris

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.7%
    Dangerous
    1.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.4%

    Lower fail rate: 7.5%, against 13.0% for the Cupra Leon, both built around 2022.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    25,069 MOT tests on cars built around 2022

  4. 4

    Nissan Leaf

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.1%
    Dangerous
    2.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.6%

    Lower fail rate: 8.8%, against 13.0% for the Cupra Leon, both built around 2022.

    9,214 MOT tests on cars built around 2022

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2022 (3 years old), the Cupra Leon across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 939 3-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Cupra Leon ever sold: 1,557 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2022 (3 years old): 939 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.