Used BMW 1 Series F20 (2011–19) vs SEAT Leon Mk3 (2012–20)
Figures updated
Shopping for a used family hatchback? We compare the BMW 1 Series F20 (2011–2019) and SEAT Leon Mk3 (2012–2020), which were on sale at the same time, on size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how cars of their age do in real MOT tests.
The short answer
The SEAT Leon Mk3 comes out ahead, with the bigger boot; the BMW 1 Series F20 is close on everything else.
- The SEAT Leon Mk3 has the biggest boot: 380 litres, 20 more than the BMW 1 Series F20.
- Their MOT records are similar for their age: the BMW 1 Series F20 fails its MOT 14% less often than average for its age (24% of BMW 1 Serieses built 2011–2019 failed first time in 2024, against 27% of all cars that age); the SEAT Leon Mk3 fails its MOT 10% less often than average for its age (21% of SEAT Leons built 2012–2020 failed first time in 2024, against 24% of all cars that age).
| Figure | BMW 1 Series F20F20 (2011–2019), 5-door hatchback | SEAT Leon Mk3Mk3 (2012–2020), 5-door hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Body | 5-door hatchback | 5-door hatchback |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 360 litres / 1,200 | 380 litres (best) |
| Length | 4,329mm | 4,263mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,765mm | 1,810mm |
| Height | 1,421mm | 1,446mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 95–340 PS (best) | 86–184 PS |
| 0–62mph | 4.6–12.2 sec | – |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2012) | ★★★★★ (2012) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel | – |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 61.4–83.1 mpg | – |
| CO2 | 89–121 g/km | – |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Diesel198.4p a litre | £958 (70.6 mpg) | – |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £958 (diesel) | – |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | £20 to £760 | – |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 122Well above average (best) | 116Well above average |
| Failed first time, cars of this generation's ageUK rate for cars the same age in brackets | 23.5% (27.5%)built 2011–2019 (best) | 21.1% (23.6%)built 2012–2020 |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 24.2% | 23.6% |
| Failed at 3 years old | 9.8% (best) | 12.3% |
| Failed at 5 years old | 14.4% (best) | 18.3% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 26.9% | 24.3% (best) |
| Most common MOT fault | Tread depth (3.0% of tests) | Coil spring (2.8% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Nothing stands out | Nothing stands out |
| MOT tests analysed | 392,613 | 181,734 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Family hatchback | Family hatchback |
| Owners' average miles a year | 8,600 | 9,400 |
| On sale | 2011–2019 | 2012–2020 |
Green marks the better figure where the difference is more than 3%. Reliability figures cover every version of each model tested in the year. Running costs use the typical official economy of recent versions (WLTP where available); real-world economy is usually a little worse for every car.
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
›Is a used BMW 1 Series F20 or SEAT Leon Mk3 more reliable?
There's little in it. Compared with all cars the same age, the BMW 1 Series F20 fails its MOT 14% less often than average and the SEAT Leon Mk3 10% less often than average (DVSA MOT tests, 2024). Because they're different ages, their raw rates differ: 23.5% of BMW 1 Serieses built 2011–2019 failed first time, and 21.1% of SEAT Leons built 2012–2020. Whatever you buy, check the MOT history of the exact car.
›Which is bigger, the BMW 1 Series F20 or the SEAT Leon Mk3?
The BMW 1 Series F20 is 66mm longer (4,329mm against 4,263mm). The SEAT Leon Mk3 has the bigger boot: 380 litres against 360.
›Which is safer, the BMW 1 Series F20 or the SEAT Leon Mk3?
Euro NCAP gave the BMW 1 Series F20 5 stars (2012) and the SEAT Leon Mk3 5 stars (2012). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the BMW 1 Series F20 or the SEAT Leon Mk3?
The SEAT Leon Mk3 comes out ahead, with the bigger boot; the BMW 1 Series F20 is close on everything else. The comparison above sets out price, space, performance, safety, running costs and reliability side by side.
Sources: manufacturers' UK specifications and price lists and Euro NCAP (listed on each model's page); DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024 (Open Government Licence v3.0); Vehicle Certification Agency car fuel data, © Crown copyright, VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy; fuel prices from the GOV.UK Fuel Finder scheme. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each picture.