2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 SEAT Leon MOT pass rate and common faults

1,043 MOT tests in 2024. 61.2% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

107Above average
Passed first time61.2%
Failed or needed repairs38.8%
Typical mileage at test128,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,043 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.8%
  2. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.8%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.3%
  4. Position lamp: not working3.2%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.2%
    59 marked dangerous
  6. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.9%
  7. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.9%
  8. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.7%
  9. Track rod end: ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.7%
  10. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits2.6%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics28.8%
  2. Emissions & leaks18.9%
  3. Brakes18.9%
  4. Suspension13.1%
  5. Body & chassis10.2%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.5%
  7. Tyres6.7%
  8. Steering6.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.0%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded16.2%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.9%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine14.0%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn11.1%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 SEAT Leon?

In 2024, 61.2% of 2003 SEAT Leon cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,043 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 SEAT Leon?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 SEAT Leon reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 107, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).