The NCT record
Seat Leon
Hatchback. Measured from 63,135 NCT tests in Ireland.
Reliability · measured from test data
Reliability: About average
About average for its age. A sensible buy if the inspection and history check out.
NCT pass rate: 52% (About average for its age)
52 in 100 pass the NCT first time at ten years old. Mechanical faults: 1.01× the average car of the same age.
Version research
Known problems for this version
Based on published reliability sources and recall notices, not NCT data. Answer what you know and the verdict gets firmer.
Checking published reliability sources…
How it holds up with age
More than half still pass first time up to 10 years old — a 2016 or newer is the oldest we would suggest.
| Year | Age | Passes first time | Average car |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 4 | 83% | 82% |
| 2021 | 5 | 75% | 76% |
| 2020 | 6 | 76% | 75% |
| 2019 | 7 | 69% | 67% |
| 2018 | 8 | 68% | 64% |
| 2017 | 9 | 59% | 57% |
| 2016 | 10 | 55% | 53% |
| 2015 | 11 | 49% | 50% |
| 2014 | 12 | 42% | 46% |
| 2013 | 13 | 37% | 42% |
| 2012 | 14 | 33% | 38% |
| 2011 | 15 | 30% | 36% |
| 2010 | 16 | 27% | 35% |
What tends to fail on it
Emissions
DPF and EGR condition, service history, oil quality
€100–400 for a service, or a catalytic converter — up to €1,200 at worst.
Engine, noise & exhaust
smoke on start-up, exhaust leaks and corrosion, engine noise
€100–400 for an exhaust section, or worse — up to €1,000 at worst.
Headlight aim
headlight aim and clouded or moisture-filled lenses
€20–60 for adjustment, or a new unit — up to €400 at worst.
Suspension performance
bounce test each corner, uneven ride height, knocking over bumps
€250–450 for shock absorbers, in pairs — up to €700 at worst.
What the repairs cost
€75–140 in NCT-related repairs is typical for a car this age. It is a figure for comparing models, not a quote.
Irish garage prices for the common jobs are on the repair costs page.
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Other hatchback options
- CFord Focus(About average)
- CVolkswagen Golf(About average)
- COpel Astra(About average)
- CSkoda Octavia(About average)
- BToyota Auris(Above average)
- ERenault Megane(Well below average)
Other Seat models
- CSeat Ibiza(About average)
- ESeat Cordoba(Well below average)
- ESeat Alhambra(Well below average)
- DSeat Toledo(Below average)
- DSeat Altea(Below average)
- BSeat Ateca(Above average)
See every model we have measured
Where these figures come from
Test and failure figures: National Car Test statistics published by the Road Safety Authority and the National Car Testing Service, 12.5 million tests, 2015 and 2017–2025. Repair prices: Irish garage quotes and The AA Ireland servicing guides, reviewed September 2026 — see our repair cost guide. Motor tax bands: motortax.ie.
Based on published NCT results and typical Irish repair prices for this model and age. It reflects the condition of cars presented for test, not manufacturer build quality, and cannot tell you about a specific vehicle's history. Repair figures are estimates, not quotes.