SEAT reliability: MOT results 2024
Figures updated
Ranked 29 of 52 makes
543,545 SEAT cars aged 3 to 20 had an MOT in 2024, and 26.3% failed first time (UK average 28.5%). Allowing for age and mileage, a SEAT is about as likely to fail as the average car of the same age and mileage. At their first MOT, 11.9% failed (UK 12.7%).
SEAT models ranked
| Model | Score | Fail rate | First MOT | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEAT Ateca | 142 | 11.8% | 10.9% | 44,553 |
| SEAT Exeo | 117 | 35.9% | – | 4,826 |
| SEAT Leon | 116 | 23.6% | 12.3% | 181,734 |
| SEAT Alhambra | 111 | 25.6% | 16.6% | 27,087 |
| SEAT MII | 102 | 22.4% | 13.2% | 18,563 |
| SEAT Tarraco | 102 | 14.9% | 11.5% | 7,101 |
| SEAT Altea | 99 | 41.5% | – | 14,540 |
| SEAT Toledo | 95 | 30.7% | – | 5,749 |
| SEAT Arona | 92 | 15.1% | 11.1% | 46,515 |
| SEAT Ibiza | 83 | 34.4% | 12.9% | 190,553 |
SEAT MOT failure rate by age
What SEAT cars fail on
| Area | Tests failing | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 8.2% | 1.1× as often |
| Lights and electrics | 7.9% | ▼ 16% less often |
| Tyres | 7.1% | 1.1× as often |
| Brakes | 6.7% | ▲ 1.1× as often |
| Visibility | 4.3% | About average |
| Body and structure | 2.8% | About average |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.8% | About average |
| Steering | 1.8% | About average |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.9% | ▲ 1.2× as often |
| Wheels | 0.4% | About average |
Most common SEAT MOT faults
- Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9% of tests
- Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.1% of tests
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.1% of tests
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.0% of tests
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.7% of tests
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.6% of tests
Compare SEAT cars with their rivals
- Ford Focus vs SEAT Leon
- Volkswagen Golf vs SEAT Leon
- Vauxhall Astra vs SEAT Leon
- Audi A3 vs SEAT Leon
- BMW 1 Series vs SEAT Leon
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs SEAT Leon
- Honda Civic vs SEAT Leon
- Skoda Octavia vs SEAT Leon
- SEAT Leon vs Toyota Corolla
- Used Ford Focus Mk3 vs SEAT Leon Mk3
- Used Volkswagen Golf Mk7 vs SEAT Leon Mk3
- Used Vauxhall Astra K vs SEAT Leon Mk3
- Used Audi A3 8V Sportback vs SEAT Leon Mk3
- Used BMW 1 Series F20 vs SEAT Leon Mk3
- Used Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176 vs SEAT Leon Mk3
- Used Honda Civic Mk10 vs SEAT Leon Mk3
Frequently asked questions
›Are SEAT cars reliable?
By MOT results, SEAT ranks 29 of 52 makes in 2024, with a reliability score of 99 (100 is average for the same age and mileage). 26.3% of SEAT cars failed their MOT first time.
›What is the most reliable SEAT?
The SEAT Ateca, with a score of 142. The lowest-scoring is the Ibiza (83).
›What do SEAT cars fail their MOT on?
Brakes: 6.7% of SEAT MOTs failed on it, 1.1 times the rate for similar cars. The single most common fault was “Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm”.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024, Open Government Licence v3.0. How we calculate the league.