Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 Seat Exeo?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2009 Seat Exeo?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2009 Seat Exeo?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2009 Seat Exeo vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

42% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2009 Seat Exeo reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,184 vehicles, the 2009 Seat Exeo has a first-time MOT pass rate of 80.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2009 Seat Exeo?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2009 Seat Exeo are: Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (63.8% of vehicles), Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay (49% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (47.2% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2009 Seat Exeo?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Seat Exeo (2009)

1,184 real MOT outcomes analysed • 80.4% first-time pass rate

2009 Seat Exeo

CarHunch analysed 1,184 real MOT records for the 2009 Seat Exeo. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2009 SEAT EXEO passes its MOT at 80.4%, which is virtually identical to the UK average and suggests solid baseline reliability—but the dangerous defect rate of 42.2% is a serious concern, meaning nearly half of these cars have recorded at least one safety-critical fault. This is well above typical, so any purchase demands a thorough pre-buy inspection and full service history review.

With a median mileage of 94,488 miles for a 15-year-old car, these EXEOs are running right on par for age, which is reassuring. The average 2.95 failures and 19.4 advisories per test suggest wear-related issues are mounting steadily, so budget for regular maintenance and have a qualified mechanic check the suspension, exhaust, and brake systems specifically before committing.

The 2009 Seat Exeo has a decent first-time pass rate (80.4%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

80.4%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

42.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.95

Over 13.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

94k

Middle half: 74k–116k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 19.4 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 1,184 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 1,184 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 63.8%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened

Tyre wear 47.2%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 29.4%

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated · Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,184 Seat Exeo cars.

Before you buy a 2009 Seat Exeo

Based on MOT data from 1,184 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 42.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (98%)	1,158	80.4%	2.96

Colour Breakdown

Based on 7,286 Seat Exeo vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 30.1%

2,192

Grey 22.7%

1,651

Silver 15.8%

1,150

White 12.3%

895

Red 9.8%

711

Blue 9%

658

Brown 0.3%

Green 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Seat Exeo vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

94,488

typical

74,227

low mileage

116,422

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Seat Exeo vehicles fall between 74,227 and 116,422 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 74,227 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 74,227–116,422 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Seat Exeos sit.

⚠ Over 157,169 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Seat Exeo — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 49% of 2009 Seat Exeos are still active.

Numbers are declining — 533 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (49% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

13.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.95

Avg failures per vehicle

19.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Seat Exeo: All Exeo years → Which year to buy? →

2010 2011 2012 2013

Or browse all models: Seat →

Compare with another model

See how the 2009 Seat Exeo stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing