2008 · 16 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2008 SEAT Leon MOT pass rate and common faults

4,487 MOT tests in 2024. 58.4% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

103Above average
Passed first time58.4%
Failed or needed repairs41.6%
Typical mileage at test121,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 4,487 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken6.1%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.2%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.8%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.4%
    264 marked dangerous
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.2%
  6. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.1%
  7. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.0%
  8. Position lamp: not working2.8%
  9. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn2.6%
  10. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics23.7%
  2. Suspension23.4%
  3. Brakes19.8%
  4. Emissions & leaks11.5%
  5. Body & chassis11.2%
  6. Tyres9.0%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.0%
  8. Seat belts & airbags2.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm20.4%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.2%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine10.4%
  4. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened10.4%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.4%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. 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 2008 SEAT Leon?

In 2024, 58.4% of 2008 SEAT Leon cars passed their MOT first time, across 4,487 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 SEAT Leon?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2008 SEAT Leon reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 103, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).