Used car guide

2011 SEAT Exeo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 SEAT Exeos, from 1,315 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,315MOT tests in 2025

60%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)

9,800typical miles a year

5.9×the usual rate for flexible brake hoses

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 SEAT Exeos than on all cars registered in 2011.

Flexible brake hoses5.9× usual

SEAT Exeo
11.2% All 2011 cars
1.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.
Anti-roll bar link bushes13.7× usual

SEAT Exeo
9.6% All 2011 cars
0.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.
Steering rack inner joints4.2× usual

SEAT Exeo
11% All 2011 cars
2.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Track rod ends2.6× usual

SEAT Exeo
13.8% All 2011 cars
5.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.6% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Engine warning light2.7× usual

SEAT Exeo
5.2% All 2011 cars
1.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 1.9% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 1.9% here, against 8.9% of all 2011 cars. Brake lights: 1.9% here, against 4.3% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 SEAT Exeo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

51% of testsRough price £120–£400

At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
Tyres

37% of testsRough price £70–£150

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Brakes

36% of testsRough price £150–£350

At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
Lights and electrics

27% of testsRough price £10–£80

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Steering

13% of testsRough price £100–£450

At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

9% of testsRough price £15–£250

At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a SEAT Exeo?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2012	859	Suspension 45%
2010	1,127	Suspension 54%
2009	556	Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 SEAT Exeos registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score