2009 · 15 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2009 SEAT Leon MOT pass rate and common faults

4,668 MOT tests in 2024. 61.3% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

105Above average
Passed first time61.3%
Failed or needed repairs38.7%
Typical mileage at test116,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 4,668 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.4%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.2%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.2%
    263 marked dangerous
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.1%
  5. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.8%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.8%
    177 marked dangerous
  7. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.8%
  8. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.6%
  9. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn2.5%
  10. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension23.5%
  2. Lights & electrics19.1%
  3. Brakes17.8%
  4. Body & chassis10.1%
  5. Emissions & leaks9.9%
  6. Tyres8.0%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.8%
  8. Steering1.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm20.8%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12.9%
  3. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened10.1%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine9.6%
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak9.2%

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 2009 SEAT Leon?

In 2024, 61.3% of 2009 SEAT Leon cars passed their MOT first time, across 4,668 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 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; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2009 SEAT Leon reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 105, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).