2012 SEAT Leon diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 SEAT Leon diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 SEAT Leon diesel than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Shock absorbers2.7× usual
  SEAT Leon

  15.5% All 2012 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.5% of all 2012 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints3.3× usual
  SEAT Leon

  9.8% All 2012 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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.

• Braking performance2× usual
  SEAT Leon

  9.6% All 2012 cars

  4.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Exhaust system1.8× usual
  SEAT Leon

  9.1% All 2012 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.4% of all 2012 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.

• Headlights1.9× usual
  SEAT Leon

  7.6% All 2012 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 2.7% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Common 2012 SEAT Leon diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 SEAT Leon diesel 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.

• 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
  31% 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
  24% 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
  9% 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
  7% 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 2012 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 shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2012 SEAT Leon diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2012 SEAT Leon diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2012 SEAT Leon diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?