Is the Seat Leon reliable?

The Seat Leon has an average MOT pass rate of 81% across 22 years, based on 315,197 tests in 2026. That's 1 points below the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2020 with a 90% pass rate.

Which year Seat Leon is best?

The 2020 Seat Leon has the highest MOT pass rate at 90%, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 74%. There's a 16 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Seat Leon

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 22 years from 315,197 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

81%

Total Tests

315,197

Best Year

2020 (90%)

Years Covered

About the Seat Leon

The Seat Leon has been tested 315,197 times in 2026 MOT data across 22 model years (2000 to 2021), with an average pass rate of 81%. That's close to the national average of 82%. Available as petrol and diesel.

Best and Worst Years

The 2020 model is the most reliable with a 90% pass rate from 13,840 tests. The 2006 model has the lowest at 74%. With a 16 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer SEAT LEONs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (2000) averages 108,063 miles, while the newest (2021) averages 29,531 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Seat brand average of 85%, the Leon is 4 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Seat models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1984cc)

£1,327

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,927

Per month£161/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2021 details

How reliable is the Seat Leon?

vs national average-1% (82% avg)

vs Seat brand average-4% (85% avg)

Best to worst year spread16 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Seat Leon by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	85%	184	29,531 mi
2020	90%	13,840	38,299 mi
2019	88%	33,662	45,808 mi
2018	88%	37,787	53,378 mi
2017	88%	32,092	63,602 mi
2016	87%	28,078	72,877 mi
2015	86%	30,311	83,849 mi
2014	85%	33,359	93,735 mi
2013	83%	21,374	100,080 mi
2012	79%	16,909	108,558 mi
2011	78%	12,613	114,006 mi
2010	77%	11,322	120,467 mi
2009	77%	9,868	119,895 mi
2008	76%	9,717	124,433 mi
2007	75%	8,629	129,414 mi
2006	74%	5,613	129,640 mi
2005	76%	3,477	130,247 mi
2004	77%	2,724	136,378 mi
2003	76%	2,090	129,241 mi
2002	76%	1,025	126,696 mi
2001	75%	431	128,387 mi
2000	76%	92	108,063 mi