Comparison · family hatchbacks
Honda Civic vs SEAT Leon: which is more reliable?
The SEAT Leon does better at the MOT, with a score of 103 against 101 for the Honda Civic, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 454,051 real MOT tests in 2024.
Honda Civic
SEAT Leon
By age
MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).
| Age at test | Honda Civic | SEAT Leon |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 years | 103Above average | 99About average |
| 6–9 years | 107Above average | 103Above average |
| 10–14 years | 104Above average | 107Above average |
| 15+ years | 96Below average | 104Above average |
Year by year
Share that passed first time, same registration year.
| Year | Honda Civic | SEAT Leon |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 92.1% | 88.0% |
| 2020 | 89.5% | 86.3% |
| 2019 | 86.7% | 82.2% |
| 2018 | 84.2% | 81.5% |
| 2017 | 84.5% | 80.5% |
| 2016 | 82.7% | 81.1% |
| 2015 | 81.0% | 78.8% |
| 2014 | 77.0% | 77.1% |
| 2013 | 73.4% | 73.3% |
| 2012 | 70.8% | 67.0% |
| 2011 | 58.8% | 63.4% |
| 2010 | 55.7% | 61.2% |
| 2009 | 55.6% | 61.3% |
| 2008 | 54.8% | 58.4% |
| 2007 | 54.5% | 58.0% |
| 2006 | 54.0% | 56.2% |
| 2005 | 56.0% | 59.7% |
| 2004 | 55.2% | 61.4% |
| 2003 | 53.2% | 61.2% |
| 2002 | 54.2% | 61.0% |
| 2001 | 52.9% | 59.4% |
Problem areas
Failure items per 100 tests.
| Area | Honda Civic | SEAT Leon |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & electrics | 25.7 | 8.0 |
| Suspension | 13.7 | 8.9 |
| Brakes | 12.2 | 7.8 |
| Tyres | 7.2 | 7.7 |
| Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors) | 5.7 | 4.0 |
| Emissions & leaks | 4.1 | 3.4 |
| Body & chassis | 3.6 | 2.4 |
| Steering | 2.1 | 0.5 |
Honda Civic: top failures
SEAT Leon: top failures
Questions
Which is more reliable, the Honda Civic or the SEAT Leon?
The SEAT Leon does better at the MOT, with a score of 103 against 101 for the Honda Civic, comparing each with cars of the same age.
Which years of the Honda Civic and SEAT Leon can be compared?
Both were tested for 21 registration years (2001–2021). The Honda Civic had the higher pass rate in 9 of them and the SEAT Leon in 12.
What fails most on each?
Honda Civic: position lamp: not working; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. SEAT Leon: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.