2014 SEAT Leon MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 76.6% of SEAT Leons first used in 2014 passed their MOT first time, against 68.6% for all cars first used in 2014. Across 55,518 Leon first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, suspension and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for SEAT Leons first used in 2014 (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 2014 SEAT Leon MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Leons first used in 2014 against all cars first used in 2014 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Leon figure was 8.0 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2014 Leon | All cars first used 2014 | Leon first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 81.6% | 76.3% | 19,452 |
| 2022 | 80.1% | 74.1% | 19,260 |
| 2023 | 78.8% | 71.7% | 18,965 |
| 2024 | 77.2% | 69.9% | 18,436 |
| 2025 | 76.6% | 68.6% | 18,117 |
Common 2014 SEAT Leon MOT failures
Share of the 12,465 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 11.7% | 1,464 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 11.7% | 1,453 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | 11.0% | 1,376 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 10.8% | 1,347 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | 7.2% | 895 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Shock absorber replacement | £300 | £200–£500 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2014 SEAT Leon before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- 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 2014 SEAT Leon MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2014 Leons, as a share of all 55,518 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 20.4% | 11,345 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 17.8% | 9,902 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 10.7% | 5,937 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 9.7% | 5,358 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 8.8% | 4,860 |
Questions about the 2014 SEAT Leon MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2014 SEAT Leon?
In 2025, 76.6% of Leons first used in 2014 passed their MOT first time, against 68.6% for all cars first used in 2014. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2014 Leon most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 29.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (26.8%) and brakes (23.9%). The single most common item was “Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick” (11.7%).
How often does a 2014 SEAT Leon fail its MOT?
In 2025, 23.4% of first tests on Leons first used in 2014 did not pass first time: 19.2% failed, and a further 4.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 12,465 of 55,518 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2014 SEAT Leon MOT advisories?
“Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (on 20.4% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (17.8%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (10.7%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (9.7%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (8.8%).
Is a 2014 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 81.6% in 2021 to 76.6% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2014
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2014 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2014 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2014 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2014 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2014 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2014 Leon?
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