2021 Cupra Leon Vz2 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 974 MOT tests, the 2021 Cupra Leon Vz2 recorded an 85.4% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 8.7% of the time, so this is 5.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 12.1% of all tests — 9.7 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, tread depth and washers — shock absorbers alone was recorded 23 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 Leon Vz2 fails 14.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 17.3% at 60-90k, a spread of only 3.3 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 12.1% | 118 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.5% | 24 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.5% | 15 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.2% | 12 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 9 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 23 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 17 |
| 3 | Washers | 11 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 8 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 8 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 26.0% | 253 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.6% | 103 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.5% | 73 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.6% | 45 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.3% | 22 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.8% | 8 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 505 | 14.1% |
| 30-60k | 414 | 15.0% |
| 60-90k | 52 | 17.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 773 | 15.0% |
| Petrol | 201 | 12.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 484 | 13.4% |
| 2025 | 490 | 15.7% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Leon Vz2
On a 2021 Leon Vz2, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (12.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Suspension (2.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Visibility (1.5% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 Cupra Leon Vz2s pass their MOT?
85.4% of the 974 2021 Cupra Leon Vz2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Cupra Leon Vz2?
Tyres, recorded in 12.1% of tests, followed by suspension (2.5%).
Does the 2021 Leon Vz2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.1% in the 0-30k band to 17.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 974 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.