2020 SEAT Leon FR TSI EVO 1.5L Petrol · MW70 DKY

Brake wear is the defining mechanical story of this 2020 SEAT Leon FR TSI Evo. The car passed its latest test on 29 April 2026, but with a notably expanded advisory list: both front brake discs recorded as worn, pitted or scored, front and rear brake pads wearing thin, and a light misting of oil on the offside front shock absorber. This follows a 2025 test that already flagged pads wearing thin front and rear, meaning the braking system has now carried the same advisory across two consecutive years without recorded rectification. The two earlier tests in 2023 and 2024 were completely clean, so the trend is one of emerging rather than chronic wear, but the escalation from a single pad advisory to discs, pads and a damper within twelve months suggests consumable components are approaching the end of their service life and a brake overhaul is likely imminent. The recorded mileage of 85,090 miles over roughly six years equates to around 14,182 miles per year, which is high for a car of this age. Testing has been consistent with annual April or May tests and no gaps in the record, indicating continuous use rather than periods off the road. This accumulation pattern is entirely consistent with the advisories now appearing: front discs and pads on a car driven at this rate would reasonably be expected to need replacement around this mileage, and the pattern of wear across both axles suggests the friction components have simply been used hard rather than any single defect. Higher annual mileage also places proportionally greater demand on suspension bushes, dampers and drivetrain components, which is relevant given the shock absorber observation now on record. On inspection, the braking system warrants the closest attention. Worn, pitted or scored front discs combined with thin pads at both ends means the buyer should budget for a full front disc and pad replacement at minimum, and likely rear pads as well. On a test drive, listen for grinding or scraping under braking, feel for judder or pulsing through the pedal and steering wheel which would indicate disc thickness variation or warping, and check that the car stops straight without pulling to either side. A visual check through the wheel spokes for a pronounced lip on the disc edge and visible scoring on the friction surface will corroborate the advisory. The offside front shock absorber showing a light misting of oil is an early-stage observation rather than a failure, but it should be monitored as misting can progress to active leakage and eventual damper failure. On the test drive, listen for knocking or clunking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces and assess whether the car feels unsettled or bouncy over undulations, which would indicate reduced damping. Given the high annual mileage, a general check of suspension bushes and coil springs for wear-related noise is also prudent. Overall the record shows consistent passes and no failures, but the converging advisories indicate a car entering a phase where deferred consumable work will need to be addressed, and this should be reflected in the purchase negotiation.