Used SEAT Leon review and buying guide (1999 to present): which one to buy and what to check

Which used SEAT Leon should you buy?

A manual Leon Mk3 from 2013 to 2020 is the safer buy, because the seven-speed dry-clutch DSG carries a High-rated known fault across the Mk3's whole run and a manual sidesteps it. That fault covers the DQ200 box behind the 1.0, 1.2, 1.4 and 1.8 TSI and the 1.6 TDI from 2009 to 2020: juddering, clutch wear and Mechatronic failure, usually between 40,000 and 80,000 miles.

The Mk3 isn't clear of everything else. A 2013 to 2015 2.0 TDI sits inside the years of an EGR and DPF fault that follows its emissions software fix, and owners have reported heavy oil use on Mk3 1.2 TSIs. The 1.5 TSI manual from 2017 can hesitate and kangaroo when cold; SEAT's September 2019 software update cured it, so ask for proof it's been done.

The Mk2 from 2005 to 2012 is the riskier Leon, because its later cars carry four known faults: the DQ200 DSG, the chain on the 1.2 TSI 105, oil use and chain tensioner failure on the FR's 2009 to 2012 2.0 TSI 211, and the 2.0 TDI's EGR and DPF trouble. The original 1999 to 2005 car is one to buy on condition alone, because door seals, rear lamp seals and the air intake can all let water into the cabin.

There's very little on record for the Leon launched in 2020, so there's less to go on either way. It's good to drive and the cabin feels close to a Golf's, but its touch-sensitive climate controls are fiddly on the move, so try them on the test drive.

Which Leon engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

The 1.4 TSI with a manual gearbox is the lesser risk among Mk3 petrols: it's one of the stronger engines in the range, and a manual keeps you clear of the DQ200 DSG fault. It isn't spotless. Owners have reported turbo actuator faults on a 2013 and a 2015 car, one 2014 car's camshaft pulley failed at 40,000 miles, and a four-month-old 2017 car needed a new gearbox.

Don't buy the seven-speed dry-clutch DSG (DQ200) on 1.0, 1.2, 1.4 or 1.8 TSI and 1.6 TDI cars from 2009 to 2020. It's a High-rated fault: juddering pulling away in first or second, lost drive, only odd or only even gears working, and a flashing PRNDS display, typically at 40,000 to 80,000 miles. Owners of a 2013 and a 2014 Mk3 with the 1.8 TSI have reported problems with the same gearbox, one failing at 35,000 miles.

The chain-driven 1.2 TSI 105 in the Mk2 carries a High-rated fault: its chain can stretch and its tensioner fail between 27,000 and 50,000 miles. Two owners of 2011 Leons had the chain let go and wreck the engine, one at 27,000 miles. The FR's 2.0 TSI 211 from 2009 to 2012 can use a lot of oil between services or lose its chain tensioner and bend its valves, and the Mk2's 1.4 TSI chain has no fixed replacement interval.

Diesels need care too. The 2.0 TDI (EA189) from 2010 to 2015 can suffer EGR valve failure and a blocked DPF after its emissions software fix, usually from 60,000 to 100,000 miles, and two 1.6 TDI owners reported lost power and EGR trouble after the same update. Both TDIs have a cambelt, due every 60,000 miles or 60 months. The 1.5 TSI manual from 2017 can judder and stall pulling away cold before 50,000 miles.

What should you check when viewing a used Leon?

Insist on starting the engine from cold. On a Mk2 1.2 TSI or 1.4 TSI, a worn timing chain shows as a metallic rattle lasting two or three seconds before it settles, and a 1.5 TSI's hesitation and kangarooing in first and second only appears before it's warmed up. An engine management or EPC light that won't go out needs explaining: one owner of a new 2014 1.2 TSI had repeated EPC and stop/start warnings that three garage visits hadn't cured.

On a DSG car, pull away gently in first and second several times, including once the gearbox is hot. Juddering, a flashing gear display or a spanner where the gear indicator should be are the DQ200 warning signs. Ask for invoices for any Mechatronic unit or clutch pack replacement, and on a 2012 or 2013 car, proof that the gearbox oil was changed from synthetic to mineral.

On a TDI, ask for the cambelt receipt, due every 60,000 miles or 60 months, and find out whether the emissions software fix has been done. A flashing glow plug light, limp mode or an engine that feels flat points to a sooted EGR valve or DPF, which owners have reported after the fix on the 1.6 TDI. On a Mk2 FR 2.0 TSI, ask the seller how much oil it uses between services.

Check every warning light clears and every electric works. Owners have reported a 2014 Mk3 losing all its electrics when the battery failed, a 2014 car's LED headlamp unit dying, and the satnav map freezing. On a 2005 to 2012 car, an ESP light that stays on can mean a failed ABS pump unit, mainly seen on three to five year old cars, and a 2008 to 2010 car needs proof of the ABS and ESC software recall. Look for damp in the driver's footwell too.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

Is a used SEAT Leon Mk2 (2005 to 2012) a good buy?

Treat the Mk2 as the riskier Leon: buy a manual diesel with its cambelt changes on file, due every 60,000 miles or 60 months, and skip the FR's 2.0 TSI 211 and the chain-driven 1.2 TSI 105. Both carry High-rated faults for engine-wrecking chain trouble on 2009 to 2012 cars, the 1.2 between 27,000 and 50,000 miles and the 2.0 between 50,000 and 90,000, when it can also get through a lot of oil between services.

Seven-speed DSG automatics from 2009 on carry the DQ200 seven-speed DSG's High-rated fault, and 2012 owners bear it out: one box packed up, another stuck itself in reverse, and a 1.6 TDI lost drive at 43,000 miles with a spanner where the gear display should be. Its protective software can also let the engine cut out for a moment mid-junction after you come off the brake. Ask for proof a 2012 DSG's oil was switched from synthetic to mineral.

The diesels aren't trouble-free either. The 2010 to 2012 2.0 TDI falls in the years of an EGR and DPF fault after the emissions fix, usually at 60,000 to 100,000 miles, and 1.6 TDI owners reported lost power, a failed EGR valve and an EGR valve that kept cycling after the same update. One 2010 2.0 TDI CR lost compression in a cylinder at 83,000 miles, and 2.0 TDIs with Siemens piezo injectors were recalled for new injectors because a short could cut the engine out.

On the test drive, feel the change from first to second on a six-speed manual, as it can stiffen and need fresh oil or a new synchro ring, and listen for a noisy fifth gear, which came back on one 2012 car after a strip-down. On the FR and Cupra, the throttle body's return spring can come adrift and stop the butterfly closing, and 2.0 TSI Cupras have had coil packs fail after oil leaked into them.

Is a used SEAT Leon Mk3 (2013 to 2020) a good buy?

Yes, if it's a manual: the Mk3's a big jump in quality and refinement over the car before it, but the seven-speed dry-clutch DSG is its weak link. The High-rated DQ200 fault covers the whole Mk3 run, and owners of 2013, 2014 and 2015 Leons have reported Mechatronic and clutch pack failures, one at 30,000 miles and another needing its clutch pack replaced twice under warranty.

Engine choice matters on the Mk3. Owners have reported heavy oil use on Mk3 1.2 TSIs, one using a litre every 1,000 miles and a 2014 car at 55,000 miles that was later found to have a cracked cylinder head, so check the dipstick. The 1.4 TSI manual's the better bet, though one 2015 car's turbo actuator failed three times in 28,000 miles.

From 2017, the 1.5 TSI manual can judder, hesitate and stall pulling away cold, usually before 50,000 miles, and SEAT's September 2019 software update was the fix, so ask whether it's had it. A 2013 to 2015 2.0 TDI falls inside the years of the EGR and DPF fault that follows the emissions fix. The 1.6 TDI's a little noisy, and one 2014 Ecomotive needed a new turbo and DPF before a replacement engine was found to be needed, which was fitted free.

Not every problem is the DSG. One owner of a 2016 FR paid £1,363 for a new clutch and dual mass flywheel at 9,000 miles, and a four-month-old 2017 1.4 TSI needed a new gearbox. Other owners have reported a 2016 car's rear damper leaking at 15,000 miles and a battery failing at two years and 50,000 miles, which that owner paid £230 to replace.

What does a used SEAT Leon cost to run?

What do Leon owners like about them?

The Mk3's chassis is what wins people over: it's comfortable on an ordinary run yet sharp and rewarding when you push on, and the handling's a real strength. The cabin's roomy, the boot's big, and the build feels close to a Golf's. It's a good-looking car too, with crisp styling that doesn't try too hard.

The older and newer Leons have their fans as well. One owner of a 2001 Cupra R covered 200,000 miles with hardly anything going wrong, and the 2005 to 2012 Ecomotive grips well at the front and is pleasant to drive. The 2020 Leon's eager steering and supple ride make it good to drive, and its interior feels almost as upmarket as a Golf's.

• A 2001 SEAT Leon Cupra R covered 200,000 miles with very few issues, demonstrating good long-term durability.
• The Leon offers attractive styling and excellent handling, with the potential for 35mpg fuel economy.
• The model ranked highly in a 2002 reliability survey, with 99% of 67 cars surveyed found to be fault-free.
• SEAT was the third most reliable brand in a 2002 survey of cars manufactured between 2000 and 2002.
• Servicing costs for a 20VT model were low, with 10,000 and 20,000 mile services around £150, and a 30,000 mile service at £190.