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SEAT LEON Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 10,815 MOT tests from 1,079 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 a SEAT Leon before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

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
N/AN/A797/999Very good82,701 miles4,069 vehicles
N/AN/A755/999Very good74,848 miles9,536 vehicles
N/AN/A750/999Very good75,748 miles1,136 vehicles
N/AN/A711/999Very good76,141 miles7,648 vehicles
N/AN/A709/999Very good77,570 miles4,523 vehicles
N/AN/A680/999Good80,314 miles6,469 vehicles
N/AN/A673/999Good77,992 miles5,861 vehicles
N/AN/A634/999Good90,487 miles3,754 vehicles
N/AN/A595/999Above average78,547 miles8,598 vehicles
N/AN/A570/999Above average78,921 miles5,854 vehicles
N/AN/A554/999Above average90,567 miles1,024 vehicles
N/AN/A536/999Above average79,244 miles4,230 vehicles
N/AN/A486/999Average79,248 miles852 vehicles
N/AN/A481/999Average84,599 miles2,009 vehicles
N/AN/A462/999Average78,062 miles3,565 vehicles
N/AN/A450/999Average79,713 miles1,367 vehicles
N/AN/A448/999Average75,695 miles3,174 vehicles
N/AN/A437/999Average80,953 miles1,374 vehicles

How reliable is the SEAT LEON?

Based on 10,815 MOT tests from 1,079 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

1,079

MOT tests

10,815

Pass rate

82.3%

Median mileage

88,567 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 705 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 1,882 advisory comments and 195 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 1,268 advisory comments and 140 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 540 advisory comments and 86 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 212 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 192 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 155 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 36 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))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 33 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 lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: SUPPLEMENTARY RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LAMP INDICATES A FAULT (7.1.6 (A))

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
202670—No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2022713100%No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
20214113989.9%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20206227889.9%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
201911062586.6%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
201810471985.1%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
201710988887%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20169687784.2%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20159599684%Shock absorber issues, Tyre wear
2014129146982.6%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
201392118281.7%Shock absorber issues, Tyre wear
20123347178.3%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20113347981.8%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20103149381.7%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20092543678%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20082039278.6%Tyre wear, Anti-roll bar issues
20071323280.6%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
20061224478.7%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2005820970.3%Tyre wear, Windscreen damage
20041125675%Brake disc wear, Tyre wear
2003510573.3%Tyre wear, Exhaust
2002511271.4%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.

  • Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

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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