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SEAT Exeo reliability by build year

Coverage 2009-20131 named generationSaloonDIESEL
At a glance

SEAT Exeo built around 2011: about average at the MOT

SEAT Exeos built around 2011 fail their MOT a little more often than similar cars the same age.

Check a SEAT Exeo by number plate

Key figure

29% of MOT tests on SEAT Exeos built around 2011 ended in a fail (retests included), against 25% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on SEAT Exeos built around 2011 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

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

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.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

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

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Exeo's generation

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

Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7)

3R (based on Audi A4 B7) (2009-2013)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESEL

26.8% fail rate, built around 2013 (12 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 26.3%)

From 1,099 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the SEAT Exeo.

See every build year for the SEAT Exeo

By age

SEAT Exeo fail rate by age

This chart combines every SEAT Exeo 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
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
16424.4%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,09926.8%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,53928.1%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
1,85528.8%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
1,31428.8%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
36729.2%

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 16 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 14-year-old SEAT Exeos

These issues come from 14-year-old SEAT Exeos, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    23.7%
    Advisory: 703Fail: 102 (13% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    23.7%
    Advisory: 629Fail: 55 (8% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    14.3%
    Advisory: 358Fail: 6 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    11.1%
    Advisory: 279Fail: 8 (3% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    10.1%
    Advisory: 192Fail: 67 (26% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,855 MOT tests on 14-year-old SEAT Exeos, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 14-year-old SEAT Exeos notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Suspension35%
  2. Suspension + Tyres34%
  3. Brakes + Tyres27%
  4. Lighting + Suspension19%

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

Across 1,018 MOT tests on SEAT Exeo cars built around 2011 (14 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 SEAT Exeo.

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

3 recalls in all

2 of the 3 SEAT Exeo recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical

Top concerns

  • Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement
  • Passenger airbag replacement

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

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Lexus IS

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.5%

    Lower fail rate: 18.5%, against 28.8% for the SEAT Exeo, both built around 2011.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,081 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  2. 2

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.6%
    Dangerous
    6.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    Lower fail rate: 22.8%, against 28.8% for the SEAT Exeo, both built around 2011.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    8,066 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  3. 3

    Volvo S60

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.2%
    Dangerous
    7.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    75.8%

    Lower fail rate: 23.5%, against 28.8% for the SEAT Exeo, both built around 2011.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,849 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  4. 4

    BMW 5 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.4%
    Dangerous
    6.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.6%

    Lower fail rate: 21.4%, against 28.8% for the SEAT Exeo, both built around 2011.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    12,637 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

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 2011 (14 years old), the SEAT Exeo across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 1,855 14-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every SEAT Exeo ever sold: 6,338 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2011 (14 years old): 1,855 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.