Comparison · family hatchbacks

Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs SEAT Leon: which is more reliable?

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class and SEAT Leon are very close at the MOT: scores of 102 and 103. Pick on the condition and history of the actual car. Based on 533,070 real MOT tests in 2024.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

102About average

MOT tests349,986

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	Mercedes-Benz A-Class	SEAT Leon
3–5 years	102About average	99About average
6–9 years	101About average	103Above average
10–14 years	104Above average	107Above average
15+ years	102Above average	104Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Year	Mercedes-Benz A-Class	SEAT Leon
2021	89.9%	88.0%
2020	89.1%	86.3%
2019	85.9%	82.2%
2018	83.6%	81.5%
2017	80.2%	80.5%
2016	77.8%	81.1%
2015	74.1%	78.8%
2014	70.9%	77.1%
2013	70.3%	73.3%
2012	67.2%	67.0%
2011	65.7%	63.4%
2010	62.8%	61.2%
2009	61.4%	61.3%
2008	58.9%	58.4%
2007	58.2%	58.0%
2006	57.0%	56.2%
2005	58.3%	59.7%
2004	55.9%	61.4%
2003	55.8%	61.2%
2002	53.7%	61.0%
2001	57.4%	59.4%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

Area	Mercedes-Benz A-Class	SEAT Leon
Tyres	8.0	7.7
Lights & electrics	7.1	8.0
Suspension	5.3	8.9
Brakes	5.6	7.8
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)	3.9	4.0
Emissions & leaks	2.3	3.4
Body & chassis	1.3	2.4
Seat belts & airbags	1.6	0.7

Mercedes-Benz A-Class: top failures

Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.0%
Coil spring: fractured or broken1.9%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.7%
Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.5%
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.3%
Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.3%

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 Mercedes-Benz A-Class or the SEAT Leon?

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class and SEAT Leon are very close at the MOT: scores of 102 and 103. Pick on the condition and history of the actual car.

Which years of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and SEAT Leon can be compared?

Both were tested for 21 registration years (2001–2021). The Mercedes-Benz A-Class had the higher pass rate in 11 of them and the SEAT Leon in 10.

What fails most on each?

Mercedes-Benz A-Class: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; coil spring: fractured or broken. SEAT Leon: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.