2016 SEAT Leon 1.6L Diesel · KW16 DXG

A 2016 SEAT Leon that has completed five consecutive MOT tests without a single advisory or failure represents an unusually strong roadworthiness record, particularly given its age and mileage. The most recent assessment on 11 November 2025 returned a clean pass with no defects recorded, and this follows four prior passes on virtually identical dates in November 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, all equally free of recorded defects. While a clean MOT history does not guarantee that consumables are in new condition at the point of sale, it does indicate that at each annual test the vehicle presented no components worn beyond the legal minimum and no corrosion significant enough to be flagged. For a ten-year-old SEAT, that consistency across half a decade of testing is noteworthy and suggests the structure, running gear, and major mechanical systems have remained within tolerance throughout this period. At 149,069 recorded miles, this Leon has accumulated substantially above the typical annual mileage for its age, averaging roughly 14,907 miles per year over its ten-year life. This is high-mileage territory and places greater mechanical demand on wear items such as brake discs and pads, clutch components, suspension bushes, coil springs, and timing chain hardware. That said, the absence of any advisories relating to these areas across five consecutive tests is a positive indicator that the vehicle has either been serviced proactively or that wear progression has been modest relative to the mileage. There are no gaps in the annual testing record to suggest the car was laid up for extended periods, which can itself introduce problems such as seized brake calipers, perished rubber, or flat-spotted tyres; the continuous testing pattern suggests steady, active use. Given the high mileage, a prospective buyer should still prioritise a physical inspection of the components that commonly wear on heavily used SEAT Leons of this generation. Pay particular attention to the front suspension arms and anti-roll bar drop links, listening for clonking or knocking over uneven surfaces, and check the rear axle bushes for any perceived looseness or harshness through the chassis. The brake pedal should feel firm without excessive travel, and under heavy braking from speed the car should track straight without vibration through the steering wheel, which would suggest disc warp rather than caliper issues. Inspect the underside for any oil residue around the engine sump and cam cover area, as the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI units in this generation are known for oil seepage from the timing chain area at higher mileages, and verify that the timing chain noise on cold start remains a quiet whirr rather than a rattle. The clutch should be tested on a hill with the engine under load to confirm smooth engagement without slipping or juddering, and the manual gearbox should select cleanly across all gates without notchiness, particularly when cold. Examine the exhaust system for any blue smoke on startup, which would indicate oil consumption, and check the coolant expansion tank for any signs of mayonnaise-like residue around the cap suggesting head gasket concerns. Finally, because the MOT record shows no advisories, there is no specific corrosion or component flagged to follow up on, but a buyer should still carry out a thorough walkaround looking for uneven tyre wear, which on a high-mileage front-wheel-drive hatchback often reveals tracking or suspension geometry issues before they become apparent in handling. A full service history confirming regular cambelt or timing chain inspections, brake fluid changes, and coolant renewals would significantly reinforce the confidence suggested by the clean MOT history.