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

At a glance

SEAT Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7) built around 2013: about average at the MOT

SEAT Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7) models built around 2013 fail their MOT a little more often than similar cars the same age.

Looking at a SEAT Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

27% of MOT tests on SEAT Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7) models built around 2013 ended in a fail (retests included), against 23% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on SEAT Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7) models built around 2013 involves the tyres.

SEAT Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7)
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2009-2013SaloonDIESEL

Based on 6,337 tests of Exeo models registered 2009-2013.

About 1 in 15 Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7) MOTs (7.5%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2013 (12 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,099 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 15 Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7) MOTs (6.8%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2013 (12 years old).

Based on 1,099 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

3R (based on Audi A4 B7) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
16324.5%
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.

How the Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7) compares

At each age below, see how the Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 43,531 tests across 7 SEAT models, built around 2013 (12 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateSEAT average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
16324.5%
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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

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.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7).

  1. 1

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.1%
    Dangerous
    5.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    Lower fail rate: 17.6%, against 26.8% for the SEAT Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7), both built around 2013.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    11,155 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  2. 2

    Audi A4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.3%
    Dangerous
    6.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    85%

    Lower fail rate: 21.9%, against 26.8% for the SEAT Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7), both built around 2013.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    19,384 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  3. 3

    Volkswagen Jetta

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    84.6%

    No clear edge over the SEAT Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7) on these figures.

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

    1,583 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  4. 4

    BMW 5 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.8%
    Dangerous
    6.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.6%

    Lower fail rate: 21.2%, against 26.8% for the SEAT Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7), both built around 2013.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    16,999 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

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.

Recall context

3 recalls in all

2 of the 3 Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7) 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.

How Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7) cars have aged

How Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%810121416Age at MOTBuilt around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 21.6% (587 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 22.4% (588 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 21.9% (558 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (544 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 26.0% (519 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 20.6% (873 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 21.2% (849 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 25.4% (831 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 22.6% (744 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 26.2% (711 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 23.6% (1,629 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 25.7% (1,499 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (1,377 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 28.6% (1,291 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 29.3% (1,186 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 25.7% (1,365 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 25.4% (1,178 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 26.2% (1,112 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 27.2% (1,004 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 28.6% (893 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 23.9% (566 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 23.1% (532 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 27.7% (483 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 27.4% (435 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (367 tests, 2025 data)2009
First registered around 2013First registered around 2012First registered around 2011First registered around 2010
3R (based on Audi A4 B7) variants compared
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on SEAT Exeos of this age

This list covers every SEAT Exeo built around 2013, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the 3R (based on Audi A4 B7) on its own.

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

    24.9%
    Advisory: 394Fail: 37 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    16.4%
    Advisory: 283Fail: 44 (13% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    11.6%
    Advisory: 168Fail: 4 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    8.7%
    Advisory: 128Fail: 3 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake hose slightly deteriorated

    7.7%
    Advisory: 108Fail: 30 (22% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,099 tests

Looking at a SEAT Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2013 (12 years old), the SEAT Exeo 3R (based on Audi A4 B7) (2009-2013) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 1,099 12-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 6,337 MOT tests on SEAT Exeos first registered between 2009-2013. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.