2009 Seat Exeo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,499 MOT tests analysed for the 2009 Seat Exeo, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 78.2% was above the average for cars of a similar age (76.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 24.5% in the 150k+ group versus 16.5% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.7% | 479 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.6% | 386 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.8% | 349 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.3% | 282 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 219 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.4% | 154 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 269 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 232 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 195 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 193 |
| 5 | Flexible brake hoses | 169 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 161 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 32.3% | 1,454 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.6% | 1,376 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.1% | 1,308 |
| 4 | Other defects | 13.8% | 620 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.8% | 351 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.9% | 308 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 121 | 16.5% |
| 60-90k | 473 | 17.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,030 | 18.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,370 | 23.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,492 | 24.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,396 | 21.8% |
| Petrol | 103 | 21.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,067 | 19.3% |
| 2022 | 998 | 20.9% |
| 2023 | 911 | 22.3% |
| 2024 | 819 | 22.8% |
| 2025 | 704 | 24.7% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Exeo
Before buying a 2009 Seat Exeo, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 10.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (10.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.6% 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.
- Brakes (7.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2009 Seat Exeos pass their MOT?
78.2% of the 4,499 2009 Seat Exeo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Seat Exeo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.7% of tests, followed by suspension (8.6%).
Does the 2009 Exeo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.5% in the 30-60k band to 24.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,499 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.