Comparison · family hatchbacks

SEAT Leon vs Peugeot 308: which is more reliable?

The SEAT Leon does better at the MOT, with a score of 103 against 91 for the Peugeot 308, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 313,132 real MOT tests in 2024.

SEAT Leon

103Above average
MOT tests183,084

Peugeot 308

91Well below average
MOT tests130,048

By age

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

Age at testSEAT LeonPeugeot 308
3–5 years
99About average
99About average
6–9 years
103Above average
94Below average
10–14 years
107Above average
89Well below average
15+ years
104Above average
85Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearSEAT LeonPeugeot 308
202188.0%88.4%
202086.3%86.3%
201982.2%83.5%
201881.5%77.9%
201780.5%75.1%
201681.1%71.2%
201578.8%68.5%
201477.1%63.2%
201373.3%57.2%
201267.0%57.0%
201163.4%57.6%
201061.2%52.3%
200961.3%49.9%
200858.4%48.6%
200758.0%48.4%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaSEAT LeonPeugeot 308
Lights & electrics8.019.6
Suspension8.914.2
Brakes7.812.3
Tyres7.79.2
Emissions & leaks3.46.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.05.0
Body & chassis2.46.5
Steering0.53.5

SEAT Leon: top failures

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

Peugeot 308: top failures

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.2%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.2%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.5%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.0%
  5. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.4%
  6. Stop lamp: not working1.9%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the SEAT Leon or the Peugeot 308?

The SEAT Leon does better at the MOT, with a score of 103 against 91 for the Peugeot 308, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the SEAT Leon and Peugeot 308 can be compared?

Both were tested for 15 registration years (2007–2021). The SEAT Leon had the higher pass rate in 13 of them and the Peugeot 308 in 2.

What fails most on each?

SEAT Leon: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Peugeot 308: coil spring: fractured or broken; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.