2006 SEAT Leon 1.6L Petrol · L20 DBN

The vehicle passed its most recent MOT on 7 January 2026 at 101,717 miles, but this followed a failed test on the same day that revealed critical faults, including a major exhaust leak, severely worn front brake discs, binding brakes, and tyres near the legal limit. The fact that both a pass and fail were recorded on the same day suggests the car was retested after minor repairs, yet the core mechanical issues—particularly the brake discs, exhaust, and suspension corrosion—remained unresolved. The maintenance trend is worsening: corrosion on suspension arms and the sub-frame has persisted across four tests since late 2023, while brake wear has escalated from “wearing thin” in December 2023 to “seriously weakened” discs and pads below 1.5mm in December 2024, with binding brakes recurring in both 2024 and 2026. Mileage has increased by just over 5,000 miles per year on average since 2006, which is low for a vehicle of this age. However, the gap between the December 2024 test (96,422 miles) and the January 2026 test (101,717 miles) shows a rapid 5,295-mile increase in just 13 months, suggesting either a change in usage or potential odometer irregularity. The consistency in mileage readings between consecutive tests prior to this jump—such as the 5,361-mile increase from 2023 to 2024—is otherwise normal, but the recent spike raises a question about the vehicle’s recent activity or record integrity. A buyer must inspect the front and rear brake systems thoroughly: the front discs are visibly worn, the rear pads were dangerously thin in late 2024, and binding calipers have been flagged twice. The exhaust system, particularly the catalytic converter and main pipe, requires immediate replacement due to the major leak. Suspension corrosion is not yet structural but has been present for over two years and is spreading from arms to the sub-frame; a full underbody inspection for rust penetration is essential. The constant velocity joint boot on the nearside front drive shaft was split in December 2024 and remains unaddressed—this will lead to joint failure if not replaced. Tyre wear on the front nearside is consistent across multiple tests, indicating possible alignment or suspension issues. The washer fluid system failure is minor but recurring, suggesting neglect of routine checks.