2009 SEAT Leon 1.9L Diesel · NG09 XVM

This 2009 SEAT Leon presents a mixed mechanical picture centred on a consistent pattern of front anti-roll bar linkage wear and a rear suspension fluid issue, with two failures recorded in 2019 and 2021 alongside generally successful annual tests. The most recent recorded test on 2022-07-07 was a pass with no defects recorded, which on the surface suggests stability, but the broader trend across the five recorded tests shows recurring minor advisories on the front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust covers appearing in 2018, 2020 and 2021, indicating an ongoing wear item rather than a one-off concern. The 2019 failure flagged a nearside rear shock absorber with a serious fluid leak, while the 2021 test only noted light misting, suggesting either replacement or partial self-sealing in the interim. Combined with persistent rear brake disc and pad advisories across multiple years, the record points to suspension and braking consumables that have demanded attention throughout the vehicle's later life on the road. The recorded mileage of 107,073 miles over roughly 17 years equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 6,300 miles, which is broadly typical for a car of this age and indicates regular but moderate use rather than long periods of standing or exceptionally high annual mileage. There are notable gaps in the MOT history prior to 2018, with no tests recorded between the vehicle's registration era and 2018, although this simply reflects that the car was first tested at three years of age and may not have been presented annually in the earliest years of the DVSA computerised system. The relatively steady usage profile means mechanical wear is more likely to be evenly distributed across consumables rather than concentrated on specific components from heavy use, but the age alone places wear items such as suspension bushes, brake components and rubber gaiters under normal scrutiny. For a prospective buyer, the front anti-roll bar linkage assemblies and their associated ball joints and dust covers should be the primary focus of a physical inspection. Given that the dust covers were flagged as severely deteriorated on both sides in 2018, 2020 and 2021, and the linkage joints themselves were first noted with ingress of dirt in 2018, these items may well have been replaced, but if not, knocking or clonking noises from the front end over uneven surfaces and a slightly loose or imprecise feel through the steering would be tell-tale signs. The anti-roll bar itself, the drop links and the connecting bushes should be checked visually for perished rubber, play in the joints and any signs of fresh grease or recently disturbed components that might indicate hasty replacement prior to sale. The rear suspension and braking components also warrant close attention. The 2019 failure recorded a serious fluid leak from the nearside rear shock absorber, so both rear shock absorbers should be inspected for oil residue on the body, signs of corrosion on the piston rod, and uneven damping by pushing down firmly on each rear corner and checking for a controlled single rebound rather than a bouncy or sluggish response. Rear brake discs showing pitting and scoring, along with thinning pads as noted in 2019 and 2021, are normal wear items but should be inspected through the wheels for lipping on the disc edges, pad material thickness, and any binding or sticking caliper behaviour that might cause the vehicle to pull under braking. A test drive should include firm pedal application to check for judder, pulling to one side, or a soft or spongy pedal, and any uneven tyre wear across the rear axle could indicate suspension geometry issues or brake drag. Finally, given the vehicle's age, a general inspection for corrosion on underbody components, exhaust integrity and coolant hose condition remains prudent even though none of these areas were specifically flagged in the MOT record.