Skoda Octavia vs SEAT Leon
Figures updated
The Skoda Octavia and SEAT Leon are two of the UK's most popular family hatchbacks. We compare the Mk4 (2020–) Octavia and the Mk4 (2020–) Leon on price, size, boot space, performance, safety and running costs, plus how reliable each has been across 380,357 real MOT tests.
The short answer
Pick the Skoda Octavia for the bigger boot, the better MOT record, lower fuel costs and more performance, or the SEAT Leon for the lower price.
- The SEAT Leon is the cheapest to buy new: from £25,995, £2,510 less than the Skoda Octavia.
- The Skoda Octavia has the biggest boot: 600 litres, 220 more than the SEAT Leon.
- The Skoda Octavia has the better MOT record. Like for like on age and mileage, the SEAT Leon fails its MOT about 6% more often.
- The Skoda Octavia is the cheapest to fuel: comparing petrol versions, about £78 a year less than the SEAT Leon at 7,500 miles a year.
| Figure | Skoda OctaviaMk4 (2020–), 5-door hatchback | SEAT LeonMk4 (2020–), 5-door hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Price and practicality | ||
| Price newUK list prices, across the range | £28,505 to £40,660October 2026 price list | £25,995 to £40,165July 2026 price list (best) |
| Body | 5-door hatchback | 5-door hatchback |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| BootSeats up / folded | 600 litres / 1,555 (best) | 380 litres |
| Length | 4,698mm | 4,368mm |
| WidthWithout mirrors | 1,829mm | 1,800mm |
| Height | 1,470mm | 1,456mm |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 116–265 PS (best) | 115–204 PS |
| 0–62mph | 6.4–10.6 sec (best) | 7.7–10.4 sec |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP ratingTests get tougher each year | ★★★★★ (2025) | ★★★★★ (2025) |
| Economy and emissions | ||
| Fuel types | Diesel, Hybrid, Petrol | Diesel, Petrol, Plug-in hybrid |
| Official economyVersions of this generation | 40.4–65.8 mpg | 47.9–65.7 mpg |
| CO2 | 111–159 g/km | 28–134 g/km |
| Running costs at 7,500 miles a year | ||
| Petrol or hybrid171.7p a litre, today's UK average | £1,084 (54 mpg) (best) | £1,162 (50.4 mpg) |
| Diesel198.4p a litre | £1,074 (63 mpg) | £1,102 (61.4 mpg) |
| Cheapest version to fuelWhichever fuel costs least | £1,074 (diesel) | £1,102 (diesel) |
| Car tax a yearCars registered from April 2017 | £200£640 in years 2–6 for versions listed over £40,000 | £200£640 in years 2–6 for versions listed over £40,000 |
| Reliability from real MOT tests | ||
| Reliability score | 123Well above average (best) | 116Well above average |
| 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 | 2020 on | 2020 on |
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 the Skoda Octavia or the SEAT Leon more reliable?
The Skoda Octavia. Like for like on age and mileage, the SEAT Leon fails its MOT about 6% more often (reliability scores 123 and 116, where 100 is average). 24.3% of Skoda Octavias and 23.6% of SEAT Leons failed first time in 2024.
›Which is bigger, the Skoda Octavia or the SEAT Leon?
The Skoda Octavia is 330mm longer (4,698mm against 4,368mm). The Skoda Octavia has the bigger boot: 600 litres against 380.
›Which is cheaper to buy, the Skoda Octavia or the SEAT Leon?
The SEAT Leon: new prices start at £25,995, £2,510 less than the Skoda Octavia (from £28,505). These are manufacturer list prices; dealers and brokers often sell for less.
›Which is cheaper to run, the Skoda Octavia or the SEAT Leon?
Comparing petrol versions, the Skoda Octavia costs about £78 a year less to fuel at 7,500 miles (£1,084 against £1,162), using typical official economy and current UK average fuel prices.
›Which is safer, the Skoda Octavia or the SEAT Leon?
Euro NCAP gave the Skoda Octavia 5 stars (2025) and the SEAT Leon 5 stars (2025). Euro NCAP makes its tests tougher every few years, so ratings from different years aren't directly comparable.
›Should I buy the Skoda Octavia or the SEAT Leon?
Pick the Skoda Octavia for the bigger boot, the better MOT record, lower fuel costs and more performance, or the SEAT Leon for the lower price. 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.