2017 SEAT Leon 1.4L Petrol · YA17 UDD

A chronic pattern of front-end wear and perishing tyres dominates the MOT history of this 2017 SEAT Leon, with the most recent test on 10 July 2026 passing only after a string of component advisories were flagged. Across five recorded tests since 2023, nearside front shock absorber oil misting has appeared repeatedly, and front tyre perishing and edge wear have been documented in almost every inspection. The single recorded failure on 15 July 2025 was a dangerous defect for front brake pads worn below 1.5 mm, accompanied by an oil leak advisory that has also recurred across multiple years. Taken together, the record shows a vehicle that remains test-passable but with a consistent theme of consumable wear concentrated at the front axle, including dampers, friction materials, and tyres that are repeatedly reaching the limit of service life. Mileage accumulation is broadly consistent with the vehicle's age, with 57,880 recorded miles over approximately nine years equating to roughly 6,400 miles annually. There are no significant gaps in the testing history, with annual tests consistently recorded between 2020 and 2026, suggesting the car has remained in regular use rather than laid up for extended periods. This steady rate of accumulation is neither unusually low nor particularly high for a family hatchback of this era, meaning component wear should broadly reflect normal service intervals rather than extremes of neglect or heavy use. However, the repeated advisories on front tyres and brake pads indicate that the front axle is absorbing wear at a rate worth scrutinising, particularly if the vehicle has seen a disproportionate share of urban stop-start driving. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection items should centre on the front suspension and braking system, both of which have been repeatedly flagged. The nearside front shock absorber has shown light oil misting across four consecutive tests, and while this alone has not caused a failure, it warrants a physical check for dampness on the shock body, heavier seepage than previously recorded, and any knocking or clonking over uneven road surfaces during a test drive. Given the dangerous brake pad failure recorded in 2025, the front discs and pads should be inspected directly for remaining friction material thickness, and the caliper guides checked for smooth operation and freedom from binding. The brake pedal should feel firm under firm pressure, and any judder or pulling to one side under braking would suggest warped discs or uneven pad wear worth investigating before purchase. The recurring oil leak advisory, noted across the 2024, 2025, and 2025 failed tests, also merits close attention. On inspection, the engine and sump area should be checked for fresh oil residue, and the smell of burning oil when the engine is warm can indicate that leaks are contacting the exhaust. The front tyres, which have repeatedly shown perishing and edge wear down to 2 to 3 mm in the most recent test, should be examined for both tread depth and sidewall cracking, with all four tyres likely due for replacement. During a test drive, listen for any clonking from the front suspension over speed humps and broken surfaces, pay attention to uneven steering pull or vague handling, and monitor for any warning lights related to braking or stability systems. Given the recurring advisories, budgeting for replacement front tyres, fresh brake pads and discs, and potential attention to the front shock absorbers would be a realistic expectation rather than an overreaction to the record.