2017 SEAT Leon 1.6L Diesel · FP67 TMZ

A pattern of brake wear, rear suspension seepage, and headlamp aim faults defines this SEAT Leon's recent MOT history and warrants careful attention from any prospective buyer. The most recent test on 24 December 2025 was a pass, but it was preceded only two days earlier by a fail driven entirely by headlamp aim issues, with the nearside beam too low, the offside image obviously incorrect, and the offside unable to be tested at all. These major items alone suggest loose adjustment mechanisms, fatigued levelling motors, or mounting problems that recur quickly once disturbed, and they reoccurred within a single testing window. Looking further back, a December 2023 test produced a dangerous failure for a nearside rear inner brake pad worn below 1.5 mm, accompanied by advisories for scored rear discs and thinning pads, indicating that pad wear on this car tends to progress rapidly rather than gradually. The rear shock absorber misting flagged in both 2024 and 2025 advisories points to a developing seal issue on both sides, while the recurring engine or gearbox oil leak advisory across the same two consecutive tests suggests a persistent seal or gasket weep that has not yet been addressed. With 175,269 miles recorded over nine years, this Leon is accumulating close to 19,500 miles annually, which is significantly above average and places meaningful mechanical demand on the powertrain, suspension, and braking systems alike. The testing record shows annual MOTs without any extended gaps, indicating the vehicle has been in consistent use rather than laid up, which is positive from a corrosion and battery standpoint but reinforces the expectation of wear on consumables. At this mileage, internal engine components, clutch friction material, dual-mass flywheel integrity, and turbocharger wear on the diesel variants become more probable concerns, even though none have yet manifested as test failures. The high annual mileage combined with the brake and suspension advisories already on file suggests the vehicle should be evaluated as one nearing the point where multiple major wear items may require attention in close succession. For the brake system, ask the seller to confirm exactly when the rear pads and discs were last replaced, and inspect the inner edge of the rear pads through the wheel spokes with a torch and mirror to verify remaining friction material thickness. On the test drive, listen for any metallic grinding or squeal from the rear corners under light braking, feel for pedal pulsation which would indicate rear disc runout or warping consistent with the previously scored surfaces, and check for pulling to one side under moderate stops. Examine the rear brake flexihoses for cracking or swelling and verify the caliper sliders are free rather than binding, as neglected sliding mechanisms accelerate pad wear unevenly. Regarding the suspension and headlamp concerns, visually inspect the rear shock absorbers for any fresh oil residue below the misting already documented, and bounce each rear corner firmly to confirm the damper settles within one and a half cycles without bottoming out. Listen for clonks or thuds from the rear over uneven roads, which would indicate worn top mounts or spring seats accompanying the failing dampers. For the oil leak, ask to inspect the underside when cold for drips at the sump, cam cover, and any turbo or gearbox interface visible. For the headlamp faults, confirm whether the levelling motors operate smoothly through their full range and whether the adjusters feel secure rather than stripped, as repeated misalignment within two days strongly suggests a worn adjuster mechanism rather than a simple bulb re seating. A final compression test and undertray removal to assess the subframe and brake pipe corrosion would also be prudent given the mileage and oil leak history.