SEAT Exeo MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 4,290 class-4 normal initial MOT tests in 2024, 64.1% passed without an initial fail or PRS repair — below the 71.2% UK average. Pass rate moves with age: 64.2% of cars aged 10–14 years passed first time, against 63% aged 15–30 years.
Checking a SEAT Exeo?
Model-level statistics cannot reveal the condition or provenance of one car.
Check its registration free for the actual MOT, tax and mileage record. Before buying, the optional £9.99 full history check adds outstanding-finance, stolen and insurance write-off checks.
Pass rate by vehicle age
| Age | Tests | Initial pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| 10–14 years | 3,725 | 64.2% |
| 15–30 years | 565 | 63% |
Common initial failure categories
These are the items that most often caused a SEAT Exeo to fail its first test, with what each one usually means for a buyer.
- Springs — 5.5% of tests. A broken or sagging coil spring. Replaced in pairs, so it is not the cheapest failure.
- Condition — 5.3% of tests. Corrosion, damage or wear on a tested component. Worth seeing in person, as the cost ranges from trivial to structural.
- Steering Linkage Components — 5.1% of tests. Worn track rod ends or joints. Affects steering and tyre wear, and is a normal age-related repair.
- Exhaust Emissions — 4.9% of tests. The car exceeded its emissions limits. Can be a sensor or a service, but on a diesel it can also mean an expensive filter or catalyst.
- Headlamp Aim — 4.9% of tests. Headlights pointing too high or low. Cheap to adjust, and common on every make.
- Position Lamps — 4.5% of tests. A side or tail light out. Usually a bulb.
What this does and does not tell you
A pass rate describes how a population of cars behaved on test day. It says nothing about how one car was driven, serviced or repaired, and an MOT does not cover the engine, clutch or gearbox at all.
Use it to know what to look for: if tyres and brakes dominate the list, price those in; if corrosion or suspension appears, get underneath the car. Then check the individual vehicle — its MOT history shows whether these same items have been advised year after year, and its mileage record shows whether the reading is consistent.
How many SEAT Exeo are left?
At the end of 2026 Q1, DfT recorded 4,745 licensed and 776 SORN vehicles in the SEAT Exeo generic-model group.
Licensed and SORN trend for the SEAT Exeo
Before you buy
- Springs — 5.5% of tests in 2024. A broken or sagging coil spring. Replaced in pairs, so it is not the cheapest failure.
- Condition — 5.3% of tests in 2024. Corrosion, damage or wear on a tested component. Worth seeing in person, as the cost ranges from trivial to structural.
- Steering Linkage Components — 5.1% of tests in 2024. Worn track rod ends or joints. Affects steering and tyre wear, and is a normal age-related repair.
- Exhaust Emissions — 4.9% of tests in 2024. The car exceeded its emissions limits. Can be a sensor or a service, but on a diesel it can also mean an expensive filter or catalyst.
- Budget for a shrinking fleet — Licensed numbers are down 44% from the 2014 Q3 peak of 8,504. Fewer cars on the road usually means fewer donor parts and fewer specialists.
- Check the actual Exeo — These figures describe the model group. Enter the registration for that vehicle's free MOT, tax and mileage record before you pay a deposit.
Other SEAT models
- SEAT Ibiza — 66.1% pass
- SEAT Leon — 75.4% pass
- SEAT Ateca — 88% pass
- SEAT Arona — 84.7% pass
- SEAT Alhambra — 74.2% pass
- SEAT MII — 76.9% pass
See every SEAT model MOT pass rate
Common questions
What is the SEAT Exeo MOT pass rate?
64.1% of 4,290 class-4 initial MOT tests on the SEAT Exeo passed first time in 2024 — below the 71.2% UK average.
Why does the Exeo fail its MOT?
The most common initial failure categories are springs (5.5% of tests), condition (5.3% of tests), steering linkage components (5.1% of tests), exhaust emissions (4.9% of tests).
How many SEAT Exeo are left in the UK?
4,745 were licensed and 776 were SORN at the end of 2026 Q1, according to DfT and DVLA statistics for this generic-model group.
Does this tell me whether one particular Exeo is a good buy?
No. These are population statistics. Enter that car's registration for its own MOT, tax and mileage record, then check outstanding finance, write-off and stolen markers before buying.
Methodology and limitations
MOT outcomes describe testable items at the time of inspection. They are not a measure of overall mechanical reliability.
Scope: Class 4 normal initial MOT tests completed in 2024. Models require at least 1,000 qualifying tests. Duplicate source rows are removed using official DVSA test IDs.
Source: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published 2025-05-23 under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Check the actual car
Enter the registration for that car's own free MOT, tax and mileage record. Before money changes hands, the £9.99 full history check adds outstanding finance, insurance write-off and stolen checks.