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The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the microleakage of direct and indirect inlay/onlay systems. Two of the groups investigated have indirect applications only and consist of microfine composites. The other two groups of inlay/onlay systems have both direct and indirect applications and are hybrid composites. Standardized MOD preparations were cut in 60 extracted human premolars. One gingival margin was placed in enamel above the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) and the other was placed in dentine below the CEJ. The inlays were made and luted according to each manufacturer's recommendation. The restored teeth were thermocycled and immersed in a basic fuchsin solution for 24 h. Following the mesiodistal sectioning of the specimens, extent of dye penetration at the restoration-glass ionomer cement and tooth-glass ionomer cement interfaces were scored using a stereomicroscope. Both direct and indirect inlays showed substantial leakage at gingival-dentine margins. However, there was only superficial leakage at enamel margins. Comparing the overall indirect inlay systems, EOS inlay leaked the most (P < 0.05). Indirect Brilliant Dentin inlays showed a significantly smaller amount of leakage than the other inlay systems. SR-Isosit and Estilux Posterior C VS inlays provided a favourable marginal seal. In the case of Brilliant Dentin and Estilux Posterior C VS, indirect inlays leaked more than direct inlays. Generally, no significant difference was observed between the interfaces evaluated in microleakage performance.