Used Skoda Octavia Mk3 (2013–20) vs SEAT Leon Mk3 (2012–20)
Figures updated
Shopping for a used family hatchback? We compare the Skoda Octavia Mk3 (2013–2020) 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 Skoda Octavia Mk3 comes out ahead, with the bigger boot and the better MOT record; the SEAT Leon Mk3 is close on everything else.
- The Skoda Octavia Mk3 has the biggest boot: 590 litres, 210 more than the SEAT Leon Mk3.
- The Skoda Octavia Mk3 has the better MOT record for its age: the Skoda Octavia Mk3 fails its MOT 16% less often than average for its age (19% of Skoda Octavias built 2013–2020 failed first time in 2024, against 23% of all cars that age), while 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 | Skoda Octavia Mk3Mk3 (2013–2020), 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 | 590 litres / 1,580 (best) | 380 litres |
| Length | 4,670mm | 4,263mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,814mm | 1,810mm |
| Height | 1,461mm | 1,446mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 105–245 PS (best) | 86–184 PS |
| 0–62mph | from 6.6 sec | – |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2013) | ★★★★★ (2012) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel | – |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 55.4–72.4 mpg | – |
| CO2 | 103–136 g/km | – |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Diesel198.4p a litre | £1,005 (67.3 mpg) | – |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £1,005 (diesel) | – |
| Car tax, registered 2001 to 2017Taxed on CO2; newer cars pay a flat £200 | £20 to £445 | – |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 123Well above average (best) | 116Well above average |
| Failed first time, cars of this generation's ageUK rate for cars the same age in brackets | 19.3% (23.0%)built 2013–2020 (best) | 21.1% (23.6%)built 2012–2020 |
| Failed MOT first time (ages 3–20) | 24.3% | 23.6% (best) |
| Failed at 3 years old | 10.9% (best) | 12.3% |
| Failed at 5 years old | 14.9% (best) | 18.3% |
| Failed at 10 years old | 24.7% | 24.3% |
| Most common MOT fault | Coil spring (2.4% of tests) | Coil spring (2.8% of tests) |
| Fails more than average on | Nothing stands out | Nothing stands out |
| MOT tests analysed | 198,623 | 181,734 |
| About the cars | ||
| Type | Family hatchback | Family hatchback |
| Owners' average miles a year | 11,500 | 9,400 |
| On sale | 2013–2020 | 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 Skoda Octavia Mk3 or SEAT Leon Mk3 more reliable?
The Skoda Octavia Mk3. Compared with all cars the same age, the Skoda Octavia Mk3 fails its MOT 16% 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: 19.3% of Skoda Octavias built 2013–2020 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 Skoda Octavia Mk3 or the SEAT Leon Mk3?
The Skoda Octavia Mk3 is 407mm longer (4,670mm against 4,263mm). The Skoda Octavia Mk3 has the bigger boot: 590 litres against 380.
›Which is safer, the Skoda Octavia Mk3 or the SEAT Leon Mk3?
Euro NCAP gave the Skoda Octavia Mk3 5 stars (2013) 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 Skoda Octavia Mk3 or the SEAT Leon Mk3?
The Skoda Octavia Mk3 comes out ahead, with the bigger boot and the better MOT record; the SEAT Leon Mk3 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.