2004 SEAT Leon petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 SEAT Leon petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 SEAT Leon petrol than on all cars registered in 2004.

• Exhaust system1.7× usual
  SEAT Leon

  16.1% All 2004 cars

  9.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 2.8% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints1.7× usual
  SEAT Leon

  11.4% All 2004 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 3% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.4× usual
  SEAT Leon

  6.3% All 2004 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 2.5% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

• Airbag warning light2× usual
  SEAT Leon

  3.4% All 2004 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.5% of all 2004 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.

• Front strut mounts and bushes2.9× usual
  SEAT Leon

  2.3% All 2004 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

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

Common 2004 SEAT Leon petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 SEAT Leon petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  40% 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.

• Brakes
  40% 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
  33% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Tyres
  26% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  21% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  15% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 SEAT Leon petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2004 SEAT Leon petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2004 SEAT Leon petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2004 SEAT Leon petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?