2009 SEAT Leon — MOT failures & pass rate
34,499 MOT tests on the 2009 SEAT Leon are in this dataset, and 74.8% of them passed. That is effectively the same as small family cars of a similar age (25.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 14.5% of tests against 11.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, coil spring and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 2,494 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.2% in the 0-30k band and 25.7% in the 150k+ band, a 9.5-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 24.5% of the time against 25.6% for diesel.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.5% | 5,016 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 3,888 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.8% | 2,693 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.4% | 2,193 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.9% | 2,051 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.3% | 1,824 |
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 | 2,494 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 2,389 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 1,433 |
| 4 | Ball joint dust cover | 1,363 |
| 5 | Joints | 1,344 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 1,188 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 35.5% | 12,264 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.7% | 10,594 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.9% | 8,583 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.1% | 5,220 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.2% | 3,879 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.2% | 3,875 |
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 | 173 | 16.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,886 | 20.5% |
| 60-90k | 7,006 | 24.5% |
| 90-120k | 11,621 | 25.9% |
| 120-150k | 8,897 | 25.7% |
| 150k+ | 4,904 | 25.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 22,697 | 25.6% |
| Petrol | 11,794 | 24.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,286 | 25.4% |
| 2022 | 7,831 | 25.3% |
| 2023 | 7,033 | 24.7% |
| 2024 | 6,112 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 5,237 | 26.0% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Leon
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 14.5% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (14.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (11.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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 Leons pass their MOT?
74.8% of the 34,499 2009 SEAT Leon MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 SEAT Leon?
Suspension, recorded in 14.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.3%).
Does the 2009 Leon get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.2% in the 0-30k band to 25.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 34,499 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.