2018 SEAT Leon MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 78.5% of SEAT Leons first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 63,231 Leon first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, suspension and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen).
This page analyses first MOT tests for SEAT Leons first used in 2018 (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 2018 SEAT Leon MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Leons first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Leon figure was 2.4 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 Leon | All cars first used 2018 | Leon first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88.0% | 87.6% | 22,097 |
| 2022 | 86.5% | 86.3% | 21,503 |
| 2023 | 83.7% | 84.2% | 21,200 |
| 2024 | 81.4% | 82.5% | 21,082 |
| 2025 | 78.5% | 80.9% | 20,949 |
Common 2018 SEAT Leon MOT failures
Share of the 11,879 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 | 19.4% | 2,303 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 14.9% | 1,771 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 12.3% | 1,459 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | 10.2% | 1,216 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 8.3% | 982 |
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 2018 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.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
Common 2018 SEAT Leon MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 Leons, as a share of all 63,231 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 20.9% | 13,238 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 15.5% | 9,783 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 13.5% | 8,539 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 9.2% | 5,830 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 6.6% | 4,193 |
Questions about the 2018 SEAT Leon MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 SEAT Leon?
In 2025, 78.5% of Leons first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 Leon most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 36.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (30.7%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (19.5%). The single most common item was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (19.4%).
How often does a 2018 SEAT Leon fail its MOT?
In 2025, 21.5% of first tests on Leons first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 18.2% failed, and a further 3.3% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 11,879 of 63,231 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 SEAT Leon MOT advisories?
“Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (on 20.9% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (15.5%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (13.5%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (9.2%) and “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (6.6%).
Is a 2018 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 88.0% in 2021 to 78.5% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
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