Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 Seat Leon S TDI 104?

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 Leon S TDI 104?

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 Leon S TDI 104?

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.

Is the 2009 Seat Leon S TDI 104 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 331 vehicles, the 2009 Seat Leon S TDI 104 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 82.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2009 Seat Leon S TDI 104?

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.

CarHunch

Get Started

Seat Leon S TDI 104 (2009)

331 real MOT outcomes analysed • 82.2% first-time pass rate

2009 Seat Leon S TDI 104

CarHunch analysed 331 real MOT records for the 2009 Seat Leon S TDI 104. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Limited data for this trim variant. The DVLA records this vehicle under a specific trim-level name with only 331 vehicles on record — some statistics may not be reliable at this sample size.

See the full 2009 SEAT LEON (8,048 vehicles)

The 2009 Seat Leon S TDI 104 passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (82.2%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

First-time pass

82.2%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.12

Over 5.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

128k

Middle half: 108k–148k

For context

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

These stats describe 331 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.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 331 Seat Leon S TDI 104 cars.

Before you buy a 2009 Seat Leon S TDI 104

Based on MOT data from 331 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% 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 (99%)	328	82.3%	1.12

Colour Breakdown

Based on 582 Seat Leon S TDI 104 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 35.4%

206

Grey 27.7%

161

Silver 13.7%

Blue 8.1%

Red 7.7%

White 5.2%

Yellow 2.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Seat Leon S TDI 104 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.

128,288

typical

108,060

low mileage

148,449

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Seat Leon S TDI 104 vehicles fall between 108,060 and 148,449 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 108,060 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.

✓ 108,060–148,449 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Seat Leon S TDI 104s sit.

⚠ Over 200,406 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 Leon S TDI 104 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 57% of 2009 Seat Leon S TDI 104s are still active.

148 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 57% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
* 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

5.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.12

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Seat Leon S TDI 104: All Leon S TDI 104 years → Which year to buy? →

2010

Or browse all models: Seat →

Compare with another model

See how the 2009 Seat Leon S TDI 104 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?