2017 SEAT Leon 2.0L Diesel · KS66 OOJ

A SEAT Leon of this vintage showing seven consecutive MOT passes since 2020 with no failures on record would, on the face of it, present a steady roadworthiness profile, yet the most recent test on 17 November 2025 introduces the first clear signs of wear-related deterioration through two advisories that warrant close scrutiny. The front brake discs were noted as worn, pitted or scored though not seriously weakened at that time, which is a common finding on a vehicle of this age and mileage and typically points to the discs approaching their minimum thickness limit. More notably, the nearside rear shock absorber was flagged for light oil misting, a condition that rarely reverses itself and usually progresses towards a more active leak. While these items passed at the 2025 test, their presence breaks what had been a run of completely clean examinations and suggests the car is entering a phase where suspension damping and brake performance components require active monitoring rather than passive observation. Across approximately nine years the recorded mileage of 62,331 miles equates to an annual accumulation of close to 6,900 miles, which sits broadly within the expected range for a family hatchback of this age and suggests a usage pattern consistent with regular mixed driving rather than long-term storage or unusually high motorway mileage. The MOT testing history is uninterrupted from January 2020 through to November 2025, indicating the vehicle has remained in continuous road use throughout that period with no extended lay-up that might otherwise have triggered concerns over seized brakes, perished cooling system hoses, or stale brake fluid. The progression from clean passes in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 to a pair of advisories in late 2025 is consistent with normal wear accumulation rather than any indication of accelerated component failure or misuse, and the relatively even annual mileage spread should mean consumable wear has been distributed steadily across brake pads, tyres and suspension components. Given the flagged front brake discs, any prospective buyer should carry out a measured stop from around 40 mph on a quiet road and pay particular attention to pedal vibration, pulsation through the steering wheel under braking, or any grinding or scraping noise, as these would indicate the pitting has progressed beyond the cosmetic stage and the discs may now require replacement. The wear rate on the front discs can also be cross-referenced against the condition of the front brake pads, as uneven pad transfer often accompanies scored discs and can produce pulling to one side under heavy braking. A physical inspection through the wheel should confirm visible ridging on the disc edge and allow a rough thickness check against the manufacturer minimum. The nearside rear shock absorber oil misting is the more progressive of the two advisories and the item most likely to develop into a failure at the next test. On a road test, attention should be paid to the damping behaviour over undulating surfaces and speed humps, particularly noting whether the rear of the car feels unsettled, floats excessively after a compression, or exhibits a secondary bounce. Audible clonks, knocking or rattling from the rear over bumps would indicate advancing seal failure rather than simple misting, and a comparison of how quickly the rear settles after being pushed down at the wheel arch can be informative. Given the typical rear shock absorber replacement cost on a Leon of this generation, factoring this work into any purchase negotiation would be prudent, alongside a check of the rear trailing arm bushes, anti-roll bar drop links and coil spring condition, which are common supplementary wear items on a vehicle of this age and mileage profile.