2016 SEAT Leon 1.6L Diesel · YG66 OYZ

The vehicle presents a mixed maintenance picture with a clear worsening trend in front suspension integrity. The most recent test on 19 December 2025 at 92,157 miles recorded a clean pass with zero defects, but this followed a failure on the same day where both front shock absorbers were leaking fluid seriously. That failure represents a significant escalation from the previous year, when the same units were only flagged for light oil misting during the 17 December 2024 pass at 86,892 miles. The fact that the car failed and passed on the identical date at the identical mileage strongly suggests the front shock absorbers were replaced or repaired immediately after the failure, yet the underlying pattern of repeated suspension concern across consecutive years raises questions about component quality or installation. The 2024 failure also exposed neglected tyre condition, with a cut reaching the ply on the nearside front outer sidewall, a worn offside front tyre at 3mm with inner edge bald, and a badly perished offside rear tyre. These are not gradual consumable items; a perished tyre and a sidewall cut indicate prolonged neglect of basic safety checks. Mileage accumulation tells a consistent story. The car covered approximately 10,865 miles between the December 2023 test at 76,026 miles and the December 2024 test at 86,892 miles, then recorded no further mileage through the December 2025 tests at 92,157 miles. That gap of over five months with zero recorded use is notable but not alarming; the vehicle may have been used lightly or garaged during that period. Overall, the average of roughly 9,200 miles per year across ten years sits squarely within typical use for a 2016 Leon, and the annual test frequency confirms the car has been kept in a roadworthy state with regular MOT attendance. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and the quality of the recent shock absorber work. Check for uneven tyre wear patterns that could indicate misalignment following the suspension repair, and inspect the lower suspension arms, track rod ends, and anti-roll bar links for play or damage. The recurrence of shock absorber faults across two consecutive years, even after apparent replacement, warrants a close look at the coil springs for corrosion or cracking, and the strut top mounts for wear. Inspect the full exhaust system for corrosion, particularly around joints and hangers, and assess the brake discs and pads for uneven wear given the binding risk that often accompanies suspension geometry issues. The tyre failures in 2024 suggest the previous owner deferred basic checks, so verify the age and condition of all four tyres, including the spare if fitted. Finally, confirm the windscreen washer system operates correctly, as the fluid delivery fault flagged in the December 2025 failure, though resolved by the pass, could indicate a blocked jet or failing pump.