2016 SEAT Leon 1.4L Petrol · RX16 OKB

Suspension wear is the defining thread running through this Leon's MOT history. Shock absorber misting has been flagged repeatedly across multiple years: both front dampers in 2020, both rear dampers in 2021 and again in 2023, and most recently a worn nearside front suspension arm pin or bush at the October 2025 test, which the car passed. Alongside this sits a notable failure event in November 2021, when the car was presented with rear inner brake pads below 1.5mm and both rear tyres below the 1.6mm legal tread minimum, all classed as dangerous defects. It passed on retest the same day, indicating the items were rectified promptly, but a car arriving at a test in that condition points to consumables being run right to the end of their service life at that point. The broader trend since then has been one of passes with minor advisories rather than failures, though the recurring damper and bush notes suggest the suspension is ageing rather than having been renewed. At 104,941 miles over roughly ten years, the car has averaged close to 10,500 miles annually, which is typical use for its age and consistent with steady year-on-year accumulation shown by the annual November test cycle. There are no significant gaps in the testing record and no evidence of prolonged lay-up. This mileage profile means the wear items flagged in the record are entirely consistent with the distance covered: dampers, suspension bushes, brake discs and pads are all components that would be expected to need attention at this age and mileage, and the record shows several of them have already been replaced or are approaching that point. On a test drive, pay particular attention to the suspension. With a worn nearside front arm bush noted at the latest test, listen for knocks or clunks from the front nearside over broken surfaces and speed bumps, and feel for any vagueness or shimmy through the steering under braking, which can indicate deteriorating bush compliance. The repeated light misting on all four dampers over the years warrants a bounce test at each corner: the car should settle promptly without oscillating, and excessive float or wallowing over undulations would suggest the dampers are nearing the end of their useful life. Check for uneven tyre wear on the front edges, as a worn bush can accelerate shoulder wear. On the braking side, the 2020 advisories for worn front discs and thin pads, plus the 2021 dangerous rear pad failure, mean the friction components have been through at least one renewal cycle; verify the current state by feeling for judder through the pedal or steering wheel under firm braking from speed, which would indicate disc wear or warping, and listen for any grinding or squeal. Given the 2021 tyre failures, inspect all four tyres for adequate tread depth across the full width and check for inner-edge wear that can go unnoticed. Finally, the recurring note about engine under-trays obstructing inspection means the underside has never been fully visible to testers, so a ramp inspection before purchase would be prudent to confirm there is no concealed corrosion, fluid seepage, or exhaust deterioration beneath the trims.