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SEAT Leon reliability by build year

Coverage 2000-present4 named generationsfamily hatchbackHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

SEAT Leon built around 2018: about average at the MOT

SEAT Leons built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a SEAT Leon by number plate

Key figure

18% of MOT tests on SEAT Leons built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on SEAT Leons built around 2018 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

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

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

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.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

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

Tyres

Worth checking

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

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 Leon's generation

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

Leon Mk4 (KL)

Mk4 (KL) (2020-present)

Average
HYBRID ELECTRICDIESELPETROL

11.7% fail rate, built around 2021 (4 years old)

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

From 7,944 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Leon Mk3 (5F)

Mk3 (5F) (2012-2019)

Average
HYBRID ELECTRICDIESELPETROL

17.9% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 24,774 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Leon Mk2 (1P)

Mk2 (1P) (2005-2011)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROL

27.6% fail rate, built around 2011 (14 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 29%)

From 7,833 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Leon Mk1 (1M)

Mk1 (1M) (2000-2004)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

27.3% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 1,368 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 Leon.

See every build year for the SEAT Leon

Side-by-side

SEAT Leon generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk4 (KL) (2020-present)
Average
Average11.7%built around 2021 (4 years old)from 7,944 MOT tests at this age
Mk3 (5F) (2012-2019)
Average
Average17.9%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 24,774 MOT tests at this age
Mk2 (1P) (2005-2011)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings27.6%built around 2011 (14 years old)from 7,833 MOT tests at this age
Mk1 (1M) (2000-2004)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate27.3%built around 2004 (21 years old)from 1,368 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Leon, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

SEAT Leon fail rate by age

This chart combines every SEAT 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
7,29510.7%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
14,04712.1%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
18,59516.0%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
24,58318.4%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
24,77417.9%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
20,81517.4%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
19,73617.2%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
22,96718.3%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
20,49119.8%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
12,82623.9%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
10,54626.2%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
7,83327.6%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
6,85829.2%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
5,12229.5%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
5,13130.3%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
3,64031.5%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
2,30331.1%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,51929.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,36827.3%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
89228.5%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
39828.9%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
14829.0%

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 18 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the SEAT Leon stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other SEAT models

4th of 7

4th lowest fail rate of 7 SEAT models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

52nd of 84

52nd lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against the UK average

17.9%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old SEAT Leons

These issues come from 7-year-old SEAT Leons, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    24.6%
    Advisory: 8,797Fail: 725 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    18.7%
    Advisory: 6,294Fail: 734 (10% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    14.0%
    Advisory: 3,640Fail: 625 (15% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    11.1%
    Advisory: 3,334Fail: 642 (16% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    8.3%
    Advisory: 2,801Fail: 37 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 24,774 MOT tests on 7-year-old SEAT Leons, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old SEAT Leons 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. Suspension + Tyres39%
  2. Brakes + Tyres30%
  3. Brakes + Suspension29%
  4. Other + Suspension15%

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

Across 7,805 MOT tests on SEAT Leon cars built around 2018 (7 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

93%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

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.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

24 recalls in all

21 of the 24 SEAT Leon recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 5 Critical
  • 16 more

Top concerns

  • Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement
  • Front driver airbag replacement
  • Starter motor may malfunction and overheat

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

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    Lower fail rate: 12.3%, against 17.9% for the SEAT Leon, both built around 2018.

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

    50,561 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.5%

    Lower fail rate: 13.5%, against 17.9% for the SEAT Leon, both built around 2018.

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

    3,314 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Lexus CT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.1%
    Dangerous
    4.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.2%

    Lower fail rate: 10.5%, against 17.9% for the SEAT Leon, both built around 2018.

    3,255 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Toyota Prius

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Lower fail rate: 11.1%, against 17.9% for the SEAT Leon, both built around 2018.

    17,367 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

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 2018 (7 years old), the SEAT Leon across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 4th lowest fail rate of 7 SEAT models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 24,774 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every SEAT Leon ever sold: 231,887 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 24,774 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.