2012 SEAT Leon 1.6L Diesel · AX12 BYN
2012 SEAT Leon (1.6L, diesel). First registered 31 Jul 2012. Recorded mileage 89,966 miles. MOT expired on 04 Oct 2026. Taxed until 01 Oct 2026.
- Make & Model
- SEAT LEON
- Year / Origin
- 2012 · Ipswich
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 04 Oct 2026
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Oct 2026)
- Recorded Mileage
- 89,966 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 6 Diesel)
- Fuel & Engine
- Diesel · 1.6L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
AX12 BYN Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 29/09/2025
- 89,966 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring tyres items (9 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
AX12 BYN MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2012 Seat Leon (AX12 BYN) between October 2023 and September 2025.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 29 September 2025 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (9 issues), Lighting (3 issues), Suspension (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 12 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))”; “Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Offside Front Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii))”.
AX12 BYN Mileage History
- 03/10/202373,087 mi
- 03/10/202373,087 mi
- 10/09/202474,612 mi+1,525 mi
- 29/09/202586,961 mi+12,349 mi
- 29/09/202589,966 mi+3,005 mi
Average of roughly 8,478 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
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MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
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Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
A passable but caution-required purchase
Given that the September 2025 fail and pass were logged on the same date, the seller should be asked to provide invoices for the suspension components, tyres and anti-roll bar ball joint that were replaced between tests. This is a 1.6-litre TDI diesel, which is a relatively common variant and parts should be reasonably priced, but insist on seeing physical evidence of the work rather than just verbal assurances.
The seat belt webbing advisory from October 2023 (slightly frayed offside front belt) is a minor concern that should be visually inspected during viewing — frayed webbing can worsen and may ultimately require replacement for an MOT failure. Given the vehicle is now 14 years old, also check for any corrosion around the wheel arches, sills and underbody, as MOT records only flag corrosion at advisory or failure level.
When negotiating, use the fact that the most recent MOT pass came only after a same-day failure as leverage. The vehicle should ideally be independently inspected by a garage before purchase, with particular attention paid to the offside rear shock absorbers (which showed oil misting in the September 2025 fail) and the anti-roll bar linkage, as these components have now appeared across two consecutive MOTs.
The 1.6 TDI diesel engine typically returns 60-70 mpg on a long run, though real-world combined figures of around 55 mpg are more realistic. Road tax for a 2012 diesel of this engine size sits in a moderate band, though diesel vehicles face higher rates in some Clean Air Zones such as Birmingham and Bristol, which is worth factoring in depending on where you live.
Insurance for a 2012 SEAT Leon 1.6 TDI generally falls into groups 15-18, making it relatively affordable to insure for most drivers. Routine maintenance such as oil services, brake fluid changes and timing belt replacement (typically every 4-5 years or 60,000 miles on this engine) should be budgeted for, and given the suspension work flagged at recent MOTs, allow additional contingency for replacement bushes, links and shock absorbers in the near term.
Estimated annual running cost: £1,200-£1,500, factoring in the likely need for suspension component replacement within the next 12 months on top of standard fuel, tax and insurance costs.
The most pressing items to physically inspect are the offside rear shock absorbers, which showed oil misting at the September 2025 MOT fail. Light oil misting can progress to a serious fluid leak, and replacement shocks on a vehicle of this age are common. Also examine the anti-roll bar linkage ball joints front and rear, as both sides have been flagged in recent tests — these wear items deteriorate progressively and affect handling.
The tyres on both front corners were flagged as worn close to the legal limit at the September 2025 tests, so check the tread depth across all four tyres and verify whether new tyres have been fitted. The offside front tyre was also noted to have had a bulge caused by structural separation in 2023, which suggests previous impacts with kerbs or potholes — inspect wheels for scuffs and kerbing damage as a knock-on concern.
Finally, inspect the offside front seat belt webbing for any visible fraying or damage that has progressed since the 2023 advisory. A general inspection of the underbody for corrosion, the timing belt service record (critical on TDI engines), and a diagnostic scan for any stored engine fault codes would also be sensible precautions on a 14-year-old diesel.
This white 2012 SEAT Leon diesel has covered 89,966 miles across approximately 14 years of use, equating to around 6,800 miles per year, which is slightly below the model average of 8,134. The MOT history shows two failures out of four recorded tests since 2023, with a cluster of advisories and defects relating to tyres, anti-roll bar components and shock absorbers. While the most recent test on 29 September 2025 was a pass, it was preceded the same day by a fail at lower mileage — indicating remedial work was carried out between the two tests.
Across 195,992 SEAT Leon vehicles analysed, the model achieves an average MOT pass rate of 82.5%, which is broadly in line with the typical class average for vehicles of this age group. The most common MOT failure reasons are headlamp issues, brake disc wear and coil spring failures — though this particular vehicle's record centres on suspension and tyre defects rather than these typical patterns.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
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Experian
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AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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