2004 SEAT Leon 1.8L Petrol · FL54 FGG

A pattern of chronic front suspension wear dominates the mechanical record of this 22 year old SEAT Leon, with the lower wishbone inner bushes flagged across four consecutive test cycles and ultimately escalating into major defects at the February 2026 test. Both near and offside lower suspension arm rear bushes were recorded as excessively worn, resulting in a fail that also included a split nearside front outer CV boot and a dangerous nearside front tyre side wall bulge. The vehicle subsequently passed on 11 March 2026, but with an advisory noting fresh underseal applied to the underside, suggesting remedial attention was required to secure that pass. Underlying advisories from earlier tests also include play in the steering rack inner joint recorded in 2022, indicating the front end geometry and steering components have been a persistent area of wear across the four year documented history. The single most recent pass therefore represents a return to roadworthiness rather than evidence of clean underlying condition, given the breadth of component defects addressed only weeks before. Recorded mileage of 136,498 miles across seven MOT entries from 2022 to early 2026 equates to roughly 6,200 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age rather than unusually low or high. There are no significant gaps between annual tests that would suggest extended periods off the road, with each year represented by either a pass or a fail followed by a retest. The mileage progression implies steady use, which is consistent with the steady accumulation of wear items on consumable and structural components such as brake discs, CV boots, and suspension bushes. At this annual rate the front braking hardware flagged as pitted and scored in 2022 and 2024 advisories, and the rear discs recorded as significantly worn in February 2024, would have continued to accumulate wear and may now require closer inspection than the most recent test outcome alone would suggest. A prospective buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and steering assembly in particular, as the lower wishbone bushes have been a recurring concern. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over uneven surfaces and speed humps, and feel for vagueness or rattling through the steering wheel, which would indicate the inner bushes or steering rack joint have deteriorated beyond the chalk-marked advisory state recorded in 2025. With the vehicle weighing over a tonne and having covered substantial mileage, the front brake discs and pads should be physically examined for lipping and minimum material, as pitted and scored discs noted across three test cycles tend to require replacement once below the minimum thickness. The CV joint boots should be visually checked for fresh grease and any signs of tearing, particularly on the offside after the recent split on the nearside, and any grease deposits on the inside of the wheel or suspension components would suggest joint damage. The February 2026 failure also included excessive engine oil leakage and a non-functioning nearside front position lamp, so a thorough under bonnet inspection is warranted to identify the source of any oil weep, particularly around the cam chain area, valve cover gasket, or sump, as leaks of that severity at MOT standard tend to indicate worn seals that will continue to deteriorate. On start up from cold, listen for any timing chain rattle and check for blue smoke from the exhaust, which would suggest internal engine wear consistent with the recorded mileage. The exhaust system was noted with a minor blow from the middle section in both 2025 and 2026, so the centre joint and sleeve should be checked for further deterioration, and the tyres should be examined for side wall integrity given the dangerous bulge recorded on the offside front in February 2026. Finally, the application of fresh underseal flagged at the most recent test warrants close visual inspection of the subframes, suspension mounting points, and inner wheel arches for any corrosion that may have been concealed rather than rectified.