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SEAT LEON Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 17,403 MOT tests from 1,735 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every SEAT LEON has the same fault.

SEAT LEON's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 596/999. The score was calculated from the average of every SEAT LEON that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the SEAT LEON.

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Check the reliability of your SEAT Leon

Enter your registration to see the MOT history for this car.

SEAT Leon side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
Diesel2020750/999Very good75,748 miles1,136 vehicles
Diesel2018709/999Very good77,570 miles4,523 vehicles
Petrol2018797/999Very good82,701 miles4,069 vehicles
Petrol2017755/999Very good74,848 miles9,536 vehicles
Diesel2015673/999Good77,992 miles5,861 vehicles
Petrol2015711/999Very good76,141 miles7,648 vehicles
Diesel2014595/999Above average78,547 miles8,598 vehicles
Petrol2014680/999Good80,314 miles6,469 vehicles
Petrol2012634/999Good90,487 miles3,754 vehicles
Diesel2011570/999Above average78,921 miles5,854 vehicles
Diesel2010536/999Above average79,244 miles4,230 vehicles
Petrol2010554/999Above average90,567 miles1,024 vehicles
Diesel2007481/999Average84,599 miles2,009 vehicles
Petrol2007486/999Average79,248 miles852 vehicles
Diesel2004437/999Average80,953 miles1,374 vehicles
Petrol2004448/999Average75,695 miles3,174 vehicles
Diesel2002450/999Average79,713 miles1,367 vehicles
Petrol2001462/999Average78,062 miles3,565 vehicles

How reliable is the SEAT LEON?

Based on 17,403 MOT tests from 1,735 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

1,735

MOT tests

17,403

Pass rate

82%

Median mileage

87,771 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every SEAT LEON has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 706 out of 999.

Common SEAT LEON MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 3,123 advisory comments and 369 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 2,006 advisory comments and 238 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS LIGHT MISTING OF OIL (5.3.2 (B))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 857 advisory comments and 126 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 345 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 320 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 233 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 68 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 58 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

SEAT LEON MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
202690—No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
20245475%No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2022152989.7%Tyre wear
20216722689.8%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
202010246388.3%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
201916896785.7%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2018179124985.5%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2017179144686.9%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2016145133083.8%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2015157166583%Shock absorber issues, Tyre wear
2014202232182.4%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2013149190482%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20126492078.7%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20114567080.4%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20104776379.8%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20094070577.6%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20082650678.9%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20072549077.6%Tyre wear, Oil leak
20061837778%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2005923869.3%Tyre wear, Oil leak
20041740573.8%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20031328177.9%Tyre wear, Exhaust
2002611771.8%Tyre wear, Corrosion

What to check when buying a used SEAT LEON

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

  • Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

  • Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Buying a SEAT LEON?

Common problems tell you what can affect SEAT LEONs generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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