2012 SEAT Leon petrol: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Shock absorbers2.6× usual
  SEAT Leon

  15.2% All 2012 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.6% 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.

• Engine oil leaks2.3× usual
  SEAT Leon

  13.6% All 2012 cars

  6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Exhaust system1.9× usual
  SEAT Leon

  9.6% All 2012 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.4× usual
  SEAT Leon

  7.1% All 2012 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, 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.

• Link ball joint covers2.7× usual
  SEAT Leon

  5.4% All 2012 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, 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.

Common 2012 SEAT Leon petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 SEAT Leon petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  37% 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
  33% 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
  27% 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
  21% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• 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.

• 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 an engine warning light.

Known faults on the 2012 SEAT Leon petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Timing chain wear (1.2 TSI petrol)

  1.2 TSI petrol (older engine)

  The older 1.2 TSI petrol uses a timing chain that can stretch. It starts as a rattle, especially when the engine first starts, and if it’s left the chain can fail and destroy the engine. Some garages advise changing it as often as every four years or 40,000 miles.

  At the viewing: Start the engine from cold and listen for a rattle in the first few seconds. Ask whether the chain has been changed, with an invoice.

  Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Polo (2009-2017) used review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 SEAT Leon petrol

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

1. Has the timing chain been changed, and is there an invoice? Does it rattle when you start it from cold?
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2012 SEAT Leon petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2012 SEAT Leon petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2012 SEAT Leon petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?