2021 Cupra Leon Vz3 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Cupra Leon Vz3 passed 84.9% of its 444 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (8.7% fail rate), the 2021 Leon Vz3 comes out 6.4pp worse. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 11.3% of tests against 2.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, pins and bushes and brake pads — shock absorbers alone was recorded 8 times.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 24.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 11.3% | 50 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.7% | 12 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 6 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.1% | 5 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.9% | 4 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.7% | 3 |
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 | 8 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 7 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 4 |
| 4 | Washers | 4 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 3 |
| 6 | Attachment | 3 |
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 | 24.8% | 110 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.6% | 47 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.1% | 36 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.3% | 19 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.7% | 12 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.0% | 9 |
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 | 227 | 11.9% |
| 30-60k | 188 | 17.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 251 | 10.4% |
| Hybrid | 193 | 21.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 225 | 16.4% |
| 2025 | 217 | 13.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Leon Vz3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 11.3% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (11.3% 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 (2.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 Vz3s pass their MOT?
84.9% of the 444 2021 Cupra Leon Vz3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Cupra Leon Vz3?
Tyres, recorded in 11.3% of tests, followed by suspension (2.7%).
Does the 2021 Leon Vz3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.9% in the 0-30k band to 17.5% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 444 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.