Comparison · family hatchbacks

BMW 1 Series vs SEAT Leon: which is more reliable?

The BMW 1 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 103 for the SEAT Leon, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 559,427 real MOT tests in 2024.

BMW 1 Series

106Above average

MOT tests376,343

SEAT Leon

103Above average

MOT tests183,084

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at test	BMW 1 Series	SEAT Leon
3–5 years	102Above average	99About average
6–9 years	105Above average	103Above average
10–14 years	107Above average	107Above average
15+ years	112Well above average	104Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Year	BMW 1 Series	SEAT Leon
2021	90.4%	88.0%
2020	89.3%	86.3%
2019	86.3%	82.2%
2018	84.4%	81.5%
2017	83.3%	80.5%
2016	80.4%	81.1%
2015	78.0%	78.8%
2014	74.0%	77.1%
2013	71.7%	73.3%
2012	67.5%	67.0%
2011	67.3%	63.4%
2010	66.3%	61.2%
2009	65.5%	61.3%
2008	65.1%	58.4%
2007	64.0%	58.0%
2006	61.4%	56.2%
2005	60.8%	59.7%
2004	61.9%	61.4%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

Area	BMW 1 Series	SEAT Leon
Lights & electrics	11.4	8.0
Tyres	8.5	7.7
Brakes	7.3	7.8
Suspension	6.0	8.9
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)	4.4	4.0
Emissions & leaks	2.7	3.4
Body & chassis	1.3	2.4
Seat belts & airbags	0.8	0.7

BMW 1 Series: top failures

Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.2%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
Position lamp: not working1.5%
Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.2%

SEAT Leon: top failures

Coil spring: fractured or broken2.7%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.6%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.0%
Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.8%
Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the BMW 1 Series or the SEAT Leon?

The BMW 1 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 103 for the SEAT Leon, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the BMW 1 Series and SEAT Leon can be compared?

Both were tested for 18 registration years (2004–2021). The BMW 1 Series had the higher pass rate in 14 of them and the SEAT Leon in 4.

What fails most on each?

BMW 1 Series: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. SEAT Leon: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.