2018 SEAT Leon 1.6L Diesel · RO18 DMX

Chronic front-axle tyre wear is the dominant mechanical theme running through this Leon's MOT record, with nearside front tread depth falling below the legal 1.6mm threshold in January 2026 and triggering a dangerous failure just one day before the car subsequently passed on identical conditions. Advisories across 2022, 2025 and 2026 have repeatedly called out edge wear on both front and rear tyres, suggesting a persistent geometry or suspension geometry-related issue rather than isolated rubber degradation. Aside from this tyre pattern, the rest of the structural and emissions record is largely clean, with no advisories relating to brake pipe corrosion, coil springs, subframe integrity, exhaust leaks, or suspension component wear, which points to a chassis that has held up well over eight years. At 78,145 miles on an eight-year-old vehicle, the car is accumulating roughly 9,800 miles annually, broadly in line with typical UK usage for its age and not suggestive of either a low-mileage garage queen or a hard-worked high-miler that would accelerate drivetrain wear. There is a notable gap between the July 2022 test and the August 2023 test, but the subsequent 2025 and 2026 entries demonstrate regular annual use, and mileage has progressed steadily rather than in suspicious jumps. This consistent annual accumulation means consumables such as brake pads, discs, clutch and timing components are likely to be operating within their expected service envelope, though a thorough inspection of service history remains essential given the MOT record alone does not capture cambelt or fluid change intervals. Given the recurring tyre edge wear advisories, a prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the suspension geometry on a test drive. Listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, as worn drop links, anti-roll bar bushes or top mount bearings are common culprits for uneven tyre wear on this platform. Check for excessive free play in the front wheel bearings by rocking the wheel at twelve and six o'clock, and inspect the rear trailing arm bushes and coil springs for any sagging or cracking, as compromised rear suspension can also accelerate front tyre wear through altered geometry. A steering pull to one side under braking or acceleration, or a steering wheel that does not sit centrally after straight-line driving, would also warrant a four-wheel alignment check before any new tyres are fitted. On the road, the brake pedal should feel firm and progressive without excessive travel, and there should be no juddering through the steering wheel under moderate braking, which would indicate warped front discs given the vehicle's mileage. Listen for any scraping, grinding or binding from the front calipers when the wheel is turned at low speed, as seized caliper sliders are a known wear item and would explain inner-edge tyre wear. Finally, examine the inner and outer shoulders of all four tyres fitted to the car for feathering or uneven wear patterns before purchase, and verify that the tracking is within manufacturer tolerance, as continuing to drive on misaligned geometry will simply repeat the same tread loss pattern that has defined this vehicle's MOT history.