2005 SEAT Leon petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 SEAT Leon petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 SEAT Leon petrol than on all cars registered in 2005.

• Exhaust system1.8× usual
  SEAT Leon

  16.9% All 2005 cars

  9.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 2.6% of all 2005 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) joints1.9× usual
  SEAT Leon

  13.8% All 2005 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 3.3% of all 2005 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.

• Track rod ends1.7× usual
  SEAT Leon

  10% All 2005 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 2.7% of all 2005 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.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.7× usual
  SEAT Leon

  6.1% All 2005 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 2.2% of all 2005 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.

• Door condition5× usual
  SEAT Leon

  2.5% All 2005 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.5% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Common 2005 SEAT Leon petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 SEAT Leon petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  42% 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
  38% 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
  30% 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
  29% 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
  22% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  14% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 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 1.8× as often on the 2005 SEAT Leon petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2005 SEAT Leon petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2005 SEAT Leon petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?