2021 SEAT Leon FR TSI EVO 1.5L Petrol · MB21 FVM

A consistent thread through the DVSA history of this 2021 SEAT Leon FR TSI EVO is a pair of rear shock absorbers that have been flagged with light oil misting at both the 2024 and 2025 MOT tests, alongside a pattern of front tyre wear that has appeared on the offside edge across consecutive examinations. The most recent test on 5 September 2025 recorded a clean pass with only a minor advisory for slight inner edge wear on the offside front tyre, suggesting the vehicle has remained fundamentally roadworthy throughout its life so far. However, the recurrence of the same shock absorber advisory over a twelve-month period indicates that while the dampers have not yet failed, they are degrading and warrant close monitoring, as the misting noted in 2024 has clearly not resolved itself by the 2025 inspection. With 33,471 miles accumulated over roughly five years, this Leon has covered approximately 6,694 miles annually, which sits squarely within the expected range for a car of this age and class. There are no extended gaps in the MOT testing record that would suggest a prolonged period off the road, and the mileage progression between tests is consistent with regular but moderate use. Mechanically, this average annual mileage means the major drivetrain components are unlikely to have suffered excessive wear, but it also indicates that the vehicle has experienced enough real-world road use for suspension and consumable items to begin showing their age, exactly as the recurring advisories suggest. For a prospective buyer, the rear shock absorbers should be the primary focus of any pre-purchase inspection, since the recorded misting on both sides has now been present for at least eighteen months. On a test drive, pay particular attention to the car's behaviour over uneven surfaces and speed bumps, listening for any clonking, rattling, or knocking sounds from the rear suspension, and feeling whether the body continues to oscillate more than once after a sharp bump, which would indicate damping fade. Also check the offside rear wheel arch for any signs of fluid residue on the damper body or surrounding components when the car is on a ramp, as the misting may have progressed to a more visible leak since the last inspection. The front tyres have likewise attracted advisories for inner and outer edge wear on the offside unit, which on a front-wheel-drive hatchback often points to suspension geometry issues rather than simple tyre ageing. During a test drive, monitor for steering pull to the left, uneven steering weight, or a vague, drifting feel through corners, any of which could suggest worn front suspension components such as wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar links, or top mounts. Inspect the offside front tyre shoulders closely for feathering or chamfering, and consider a four-wheel alignment check to confirm whether the wear pattern is alignment-related. Finally, given the TSI EVO petrol engine, listen for any timing chain rattle on a cold start and check for oil seepage around the cam chain cover, as these are known concerns on this powerplant independent of the MOT record itself.