2004 SEAT Leon: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2× usual
  SEAT Leon

  13% All 2004 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, 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.

• Front strut mounts and bushes3.6× usual
  SEAT Leon

  2.9% All 2004 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, 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.

• Steering rack2.1× usual
  SEAT Leon

  3.5% All 2004 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 1% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Door condition4.2× usual
  SEAT Leon

  2.1% All 2004 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.5% of all 2004 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.

• Airbag warning light1.9× usual
  SEAT Leon

  3.2% All 2004 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, 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.

Common 2004 SEAT Leon MOT failures and advisories

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

• Brakes
  44% 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.

• Suspension
  43% 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.

• 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
  28% 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
  20% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  16% 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

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

1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2004 SEAT Leon as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the front strut mounts and bushes? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2004 SEAT Leon as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the steering rack? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2004 SEAT Leon as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?