SEAT Exeo MOT pass rate and common problems
72.6% of 7,100 SEAT Exeo MOT tests pass.
The Exeo passes 72.6% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all SEAT models (80.3%).
The SEAT Exeo passes 72.6% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this SEAT Exeo?
This is the average across every SEAT Exeo in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your SEAT’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Unusually, pass rate is higher for older examples: 72.2% at 10–15 years compared with 78.3% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 72.2% | 6,704 | 134,893 miles |
| 15+ years | 78.3% | 396 | 141,184 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the SEAT Exeo
The most common reason the SEAT Exeo fails its MOT is brakes — present in 41.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Excessively deteriorated".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 41.6% | Excessively deteriorated |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 40.8% | Not working |
| Suspension | 38.6% | Fractured or broken |
| Tyres | 28.5% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Steering | 15.7% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.5% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 7.8% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Visibility | 7.0% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.2% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 1.9% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used SEAT Exeo: what to check
These checks follow the SEAT Exeo’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 82.3% down to 75.6%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Brakes
Recorded in 41.6% of failed SEAT Exeo MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 40.8% of failed SEAT Exeo MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 38.6% of failed SEAT Exeo MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 28.5% of failed SEAT Exeo MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Steering
Recorded in 15.7% of failed SEAT Exeo MOTs.
The steering should feel precise, without knocks or play, and the car should run straight. Turn to full lock both ways and listen for clunks.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check SEAT service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related SEAT models
- SEAT Altea — 66.7% pass rate
- SEAT Tarraco — 88.9% pass rate
- SEAT Toledo — 74.3% pass rate
- SEAT Arosa — 68.6% pass rate
- SEAT Altea XL — 65.8% pass rate
- SEAT Taracco — 90.8% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the SEAT Exeo?
- 72.6% of SEAT Exeo MOT tests pass, based on 7,100 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the SEAT Exeo?
- The most common reason the SEAT Exeo fails its MOT is brakes — present in 41.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Excessively deteriorated".
- What are the common problems with the SEAT Exeo?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the SEAT Exeo are brakes; lights and electrics; suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used SEAT Exeo?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: brakes; lights and electrics; suspension; tyres; steering. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the SEAT Exeo's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the SEAT service history guide for how to check and keep one.