2010 SEAT Leon 1.6L Diesel · LS10 OTZ

The vehicle presented for its most recent MOT on 26 February 2026 and passed, though it carries an advisory noting age related corrosion underside, and this pass came immediately after a failure just two days earlier on 24 February 2026. That earlier test recorded two dangerous defects relating to the nearside front tyre having ply or cords exposed and the offside front tyre tread depth falling below the legal 1.6mm requirement, alongside major failures for both the nearside and offside parking brake being inoperative on one side, and a minor for an inoperative registration plate lamp. Looking across the recent MOT history, the pattern is one of repeated advisories rather than a clean sheet, with the 2023 test similarly highlighting corroded rear suspension arms, a corroded rear sub-frame, deteriorated exhaust, and chassis corrosion within 30cm of a mounting point, and the 2025 test picking up both front anti-roll bar linkage ball joints showing slight play. The maintenance trend does not show progressive improvement; rather, it indicates a vehicle where corrosion and suspension wear items are being monitored annually but not fully resolved, and the 2026 failure demonstrates that safety critical items such as tyres and the parking brake were allowed to deteriorate to a dangerous or major level before being addressed. The recorded mileage of 119,199 miles against a 2010 registration equates to approximately 7,450 miles per year over a sixteen year lifespan, which is broadly typical for the age bracket and consistent with regular mixed use rather than long periods of standing or unusually heavy motorway accumulation. There are no obvious anomalies or implausibly low annual figures that would suggest clocking irregularities or extended storage, and the mileage recorded at each annual test appears to increment in a steady, progressive manner. This level of use means the mechanical consumables such as brakes, tyres, clutches, and suspension components will have experienced genuine wear over their service life, and any standing-related degradation such as brake disc corrosion or fluid deterioration is less of a concern than it would be on a low mileage example. The mileage is therefore neither a positive nor a negative flag in isolation, but the defects recorded at test do need to be evaluated against this genuine usage history. For a prospective buyer, the most pressing items to inspect are those that recur in the MOT record, particularly the front suspension and braking system. The advisories and major failures around the front anti-roll bar linkage ball joints mean the bushes and drop links should be physically checked for play by hand and the vehicle listened to carefully on a test drive for clonking or rattling noises from the front end, particularly over speed humps and uneven surfaces. The dangerous brake pad finding in 2023 and the 2026 parking brake failure suggest the rear brake mechanism, caliper sliding pins, and handbrake cable or actuator should be inspected for correct adjustment and free movement, and the test drive should include firm pedal applications to check for pull or shudder under braking. The nearside outer drive shaft CV boot split recorded in 2023 is a recurring failure point on front-wheel-drive vehicles of this age, and any clicking on full lock turns or fresh grease splatter around the inner or outer CV joints would indicate an unresolved or recurring issue. Tyre condition must be thoroughly examined, as the 2026 test recorded both front tyres as dangerous; ensure the replacements fitted since February 2026 have substantial tread and no perishing or sidewall damage, particularly given the vehicle's age. Beyond the items directly flagged in the MOT history, the corrosion advisories recorded consistently from 2022 onwards warrant close physical inspection. The rear sub-frame, rear suspension arms, and underbody structure have all been noted as corroded but not seriously weakened at successive tests, and a buyer should arrange for the vehicle to be examined on a ramp to verify whether this corrosion has progressed, particularly around mounting points, suspension turrets, and floor seams where salt and moisture collect. The deteriorated exhaust advisory from 2022 and 2023 should be checked for blowing, rattles, or visible corrosion at joints and the cat-back section. Given the calendar age of sixteen years, time-based servicing items deserve attention regardless of mileage, including the condition and age of the 12V battery, the brake fluid which absorbs moisture over time and should be renewed regardless of condition, coolant strength and age, and the timing belt replacement interval for the engine fitted to this generation of Leon, which is a critical replacement item typically due every four to five years. The age related underside corrosion advisory at the most recent test is a reminder that further proactive inspection or underseal treatment may be prudent to preserve structural integrity for the medium term.