Model reliability

Seat Exeo reliability

The Seat Exeo fails its MOT about as often as most cars over 10 years old: 34.5% of 4,822 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.

6 to 10 years old

27.3% failed their MOT

About average

From 512 MOT tests of Seat Exeos this age. A small sample, so take it as a rough guide: a few cars either way can move these figures.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 3× as oftenSprings6.4% vs 2.4%Fix about £150

Fails 46% more oftenTyre condition5.1% vs 3.5%Fix about £90

Fails 32% more oftenHeadlamp aim3.3% vs 2.5%Fix about £30

Fails 33× as oftenFlexible brake hoses3.3% vs 0.1%Fix about £120

Advised 81% more oftenSuspension arms9.6% vs 5.3%

Advised 29× as oftenFlexible brake hoses8.8% vs 0.3%Fix about £120

Over 10 years old

34.5% failed their MOT

About average

From 4,822 MOT tests of Seat Exeos this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 73% more oftenSprings7.1% vs 4.1%Fix about £150

Fails 50% more oftenSteering linkage components3.6% vs 2.4%

Fails 6× as oftenFlexible brake hoses2.8% vs 0.5%Fix about £120

Advised 4× as oftenFlexible brake hoses9.2% vs 2.6%Fix about £120

Advised 2× as oftenSteering linkage components6.9% vs 2.8%

Advised 50% more oftenCondition of glass4.8% vs 3.2%

Safety recalls

3 DVSA recalls for the Seat Exeo

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/2025/39127 Aug 2025Built 2009–2013Passenger airbag replacement

In some SEAT EXEO (3R) vehicles within the specified range of VINs with a front passenger airbag by Takata a deterioration of the propellant could occur due to high air humidity and temperature changes. As a result in the event of an accident and the activation of the front passenger airbag fragments of the generator housing could become detached and injure the passengers.

Fix: The front passenger airgbag must be replaced.

Recalled models: EXEO · 8,632 vehicles

R/2025/34823 Jul 2025Built 2009–2010Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement

Urgent Safety Warning – Do Not Drive Your Vehicle Issue: The front airbag in your SEAT vehicle contains an ageing inflator propellant that may explode when deployed due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. Risk: If the airbag inflator explodes metal fragments may be ejected causing life-threatening or fatal injuries to anyone in the vehicle. Immediate Action Required: Stop driving your vehicle immediately. Contact the SEAT Takata Stop Drive helpline at 0113 526 9646 (Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm) to arrange your recall service. Mobility assistance is available if needed.

Fix: For important safety reasons it is necessary to replace the inflator or driver/passenger seat’s airbag module of your vehicle.

Recalled models: EXEO · 7 vehicles

R/2024/4374 Nov 2024Built 2009–2010Passenger airbag replacement

Takata has advised that in the event of an accident with airbag activation the front passenger airbag gas generator housing may explode. The cause may be a deterioration of the propellant caused by high air humidity and temperature changes during an extended period of time. In the event of an accident with front passenger airbag activation fragments from the gas generator can cause injuries and endanger the life of the passengers.

Fix: Replace the passenger airbag as necessary.

Recalled models: EXEO · 8 vehicles

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Seat Exeo before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.

Seat Exeo reliability

3 DVSA recalls for the Seat Exeo

Checking a Seat Exeo before you buy

Run this check on every listing, automatically.