SEAT Leon (2016)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 28,078 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,003

£167/month

MOT Pass Rate

87%

Good

Road Tax

£200

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1395cc Petrol

Solid Option

87% pass rate, £2,003/year to run. 5 points above average.

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Petrol1395cc10 years old28,078 tests73k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1395cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,003

Per month£167/mo

Per week£39/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

87% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data.

87% of MOT tests on SEAT Leons from 2016 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 8 years old. That's based on 28,078 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 72,877 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 models281st of 539(bottom half)

Rank among SEAT models165th of 310(bottom half)

vs average of all models+5%(82% avg)

vs 2016 models average+2%(85% avg)

vs SEAT average+2%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

72,877

Average miles

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2016 SEAT Leon had 72,877 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is above the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 90%, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 74%. The 2016 scores 87%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

SEAT Leon by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2015 · 998cc Petrol

£1,600/year

81%

-6%

Vauxhall Corsa

2015 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

78%

-9%

Ford Focus

2014 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

80%

-7%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

-1%

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About the 2016 SEAT Leon

The 2016 SEAT Leon is a small family car. Our records list a 1395cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 28,078 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. Among all models from 2016, the average MOT pass rate is 85%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 72,877 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, SEAT Leon owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2016 SEAT Leon Fuel Costs

The 1395cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2016 SEAT Leon?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,003 (£167/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 87% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

SEAT Leon Reliability Trend

Newer SEAT Leons pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 9 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2016 SEAT Leon

At 10 years old, the SEAT Leon is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 90%. With 28,078 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

What the 2016 SEAT Leon Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 3,167 MOT tests on the 2016 SEAT Leon that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

Tyres32%
Same age: 26%
Suspension29%
Same age: 29%
Brakes23%
Same age: 20%
Lights and electrics15%
Same age: 30% (fails on this less often)

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · SEAT Leon reliability, common problems and years to avoid

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2016 SEAT Leon stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
SEAT Leon(2016)	87%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003
Ford Fiesta(2015)	81%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600-£403
Vauxhall Corsa(2015)	78%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£150
Ford Focus(2014)	80%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078+£75
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780-£223

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2016 SEAT Leon

Is the 2016 SEAT Leon reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 87% of MOT tests on 2016 SEAT Leons ended in a pass, from 28,078 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 5 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2016 SEAT Leon cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,003 a year (£167 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 SEAT Leon?

87% of 28,078 MOT tests on the 2016 SEAT Leon ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 281st of 539 models first registered in 2016 (bottom half).

Which year SEAT Leon has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 SEAT Leon has the highest MOT pass rate at 90% and the 2006 the lowest at 74%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2016 SEAT Leon?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2016 SEAT Leon is 72,877 miles, which is above the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.