Seat Leon S TDI 104 (2010)

249 real MOT outcomes analysed • 65.8% first-time pass rate

2010 Seat Leon S TDI 104

CarHunch analysed 249 real MOT records for the 2010 Seat Leon S TDI 104. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2010 SEAT LEON S TDI 104 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 65.8%, which is significantly below the UK average of 80%, signalling that these diesel engines are prone to failures—though mercifully none of the 249 vehicles analysed recorded a dangerous defect. This is a straightforward reliability concern: roughly one in three examples will fail their MOT without prior warning.

At a median mileage of 129,906 miles for a 14-year-old car, these Leons are carrying typical wear, yet they're averaging 1.16 failures per test, suggesting age-related decay rather than a freak mechanical issue. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the diesel emissions and cooling systems, and budget for at least one round of repairs in the next MOT cycle.

Below average reliability 14.2% below UK average
65.8%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
129,906
typical mileage
111,204–144,856 middle half
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.16
avg MOT failures per car
over 6 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2010 Seat Leon S TDI 104

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Seat Leon S TDI 104

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (99%) 246 65.5% 1.17
Gas Bi-Fuel (1%) 3 93.3% 0.67

Mileage Distribution

Most 2010 Seat Leon S TDI 104 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

111,204
low mileage
129,906
typical
144,856
high mileage

Half of all 2010 Seat Leon S TDI 104 vehicles fall between 111,204 and 144,856 miles.

2010 Seat Leon S TDI 104 — Still on the Road

118 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 64% of the peak remain.

99 118 2017 2025

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

MOT History Averages

6
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.16
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Seat Leon S TDI 104?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Seat Leon S TDI 104:

2009