2018 SEAT Leon 1.0L Petrol · P29 GAD

The 2018 SEAT Leon presents a mixed mechanical picture, with a maintenance trend showing emerging suspension concerns despite passing its most recent MOT on 2025-11-11 at 76,721 miles. The tester flagged non-critical lighting advisories for both rear inner position lamps, alongside a more significant finding: the offside front shock absorber exhibited light oil misting. This suspension defect indicates a deteriorating seal, potentially leading to reduced damping performance if left unaddressed. Prior to this, the vehicle passed cleanly in December 2023 at 70,485 miles, but a sudden spike in flagged items during late 2024 suggests a recent decline in attentiveness to mechanical wear. Covering roughly 9,590 miles annually, the mileage accumulation aligns perfectly with typical usage for an eight-year-old vehicle. The records show consistent testing intervals, moving from 58,211 miles in April 2023 to 74,887 miles by December 2024. There are no alarming gaps in the test history that would suggest the car sat idle for extended periods. The steady annual increment implies regular commuting rather than long-term storage, which generally benefits the longevity of drivetrain components by preventing moisture buildup and keeping lubricants circulated. A buyer must inspect the offside rear suspension closely, given the history of a fractured coil spring recorded during the failed test on 2024-12-09 at 74,887 miles. Although the car passed a retest the same day, indicating a repair was carried out, the underlying cause of the fracture—often corrosion or metal fatigue—warrants a thorough check of the nearside rear spring for similar defects. The tester also noted a slightly distorted offside rear inner road wheel during both the failed and retested inspections. This distortion can cause wheel imbalance and uneven tyre wear. Finally, assess the offside front shock absorber for fresh oil seepage, as the misting flagged in November 2025 will eventually compromise damping efficiency if the unit fails.