2010 SEAT Leon diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2010 SEAT Leon diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2010 SEAT Leon diesel than on all cars registered in 2010.

• Suspension arm3.9× usual
  SEAT Leon

  12.1% All 2010 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.4% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Shock absorbers1.9× usual
  SEAT Leon

  13.8% All 2010 cars

  7.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 2% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Ball joint dust cover2.8× usual
  SEAT Leon

  9.7% All 2010 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.5% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.2× usual
  SEAT Leon

  8.4% All 2010 cars

  3.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.5% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Sub-frame1.8× usual
  SEAT Leon

  9.6% All 2010 cars

  5.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.3% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Common 2010 SEAT Leon diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2010 SEAT Leon diesel 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
  36% 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
  33% 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
  26% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  11% 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 engine or DPF warning lights.

• 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2010 SEAT Leon diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2010 SEAT Leon diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2010 SEAT Leon diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2010 SEAT Leon diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?