2011 SEAT Leon MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 63.5% of SEAT Leons first used in 2011 passed their MOT first time, against 61.2% for all cars first used in 2011. Across 19,244 Leon first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, lamps and electrical equipment and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for SEAT Leons first used in 2011 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2011 SEAT Leon MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Leons first used in 2011 against all cars first used in 2011 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Leon figure was 2.3 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2011 Leon | All cars first used 2011 | Leon first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 68.5% | 65.8% | 7,596 |
| 2022 | 65.6% | 64.5% | 7,399 |
| 2023 | 64.6% | 63.0% | 6,994 |
| 2024 | 63.4% | 61.8% | 6,465 |
| 2025 | 63.5% | 61.2% | 5,785 |
Common 2011 SEAT Leon MOT failures
Share of the 6,952 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 12.8% | 889 |
| Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 10.3% | 717 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 9.9% | 691 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | 8.8% | 614 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 8.3% | 577 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Leon in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Shock absorber replacement | £300 | £200–£500 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2011 SEAT Leon before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 2011 SEAT Leon MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2011 Leons, as a share of all 19,244 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 21.1% | 4,058 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 14.5% | 2,788 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 12.4% | 2,390 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 8.8% | 1,701 |
| Coil spring: corroded | 8.5% | 1,644 |
Questions about the 2011 SEAT Leon MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2011 SEAT Leon?
In 2025, 63.5% of Leons first used in 2011 passed their MOT first time, against 61.2% for all cars first used in 2011. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2011 Leon most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 45.1% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (33.6%) and brakes (28.5%). The single most common item was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (12.8%).
How often does a 2011 SEAT Leon fail its MOT?
In 2025, 36.5% of first tests on Leons first used in 2011 did not pass first time: 30.5% failed, and a further 6.0% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 6,952 of 19,244 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2011 SEAT Leon MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 21.1% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (14.5%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (12.4%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (8.8%) and “Coil spring: corroded” (8.5%).
Is a 2011 SEAT Leon reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 68.5% in 2021 to 63.5% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2011
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2011 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2011 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2011 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2011 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2011 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2011 Leon?
The numbers above cover every Leon first used in 2011 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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