Used Seat Leon SC 2013-2018 reliability
Category: Family car
The Seat Leon SC is not only stylish and good to drive but also offers buyers excellent value for money as a used buy. It’s more practical than its closest rivals, too
What should I look for in a used Seat Leon coupe?
Alloy wheels
Since the Leon is a family car, it might have done a few parallel parking manoeuvres as part of the school run. Pay close attention to the alloy wheels for kerb damage. Cupra versions have even larger wheels that are even more susceptible to being damaged if you’re not careful.
Brakes
There’s a strong possibility that Cupra versions will have been used on track days during their life, so check that the brakes haven’t been warped due to overheating. There shouldn’t be any judder through the pedal upon light brake applications. If there is, you’ll need to replace the discs.
Clutch
Check the condition of the clutch by putting the car in a high gear from rest and try to pull away. If it stalls, the clutch is good. If it slips and the car accelerates away, the clutch plate is worn out.
Cambelt change
All Leon engines of this generation require a cambelt change every five years. Mileage limits differ between engines, so check with your dealer. The water pump isn’t included as part of the service, and the five-year warranty on cambelt work doesn’t cover the pump if it fails.
What are the most common problems with a used Seat Leon coupe?
Water in rear light clusters
Some owners have complained of condensation in the rear light clusters. Try washing the car to find out of water can get in. If so, speak to your dealership if the car is still under warranty, or contact Seat customer services, because they might be able to provide some assistance.
Interior rattles
There have been a few cases of interior rattles emerging, particularly in the door cards. If the car is still under its manufacturer’s warranty, contact your Seat dealer, which should be able to sort out the issue for you.
Recall
There’s only been one recall for the Leon so far, involving the rear child locks, which might disengage on cars built between 25 November 2015 and 14 April 2016. Check with your Seat dealer if you think your car is affected.
Is a used Seat Leon coupe reliable?
According to the 2018 What Car? Reliability Survey, the Leon has improved on its score since last year. Petrol versions finished in fourth place, with diesel models coming in 13th out of the 27 other family cars included. Seat as a brand ranked 10th out of the 31 manufacturers featured. Overall, it’s a pretty good showing.
If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.
