Used Seat Leon SC 2013-2018 reliability review

Name: Used Seat Leon SC 2013-2018
Rating: 4
Author: Stuart Milne

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

2016 Seat Leon SC 1.4 EcoTSI FR Titanium review

How we test cars

What should I look for in a used SEAT Leon?

Alloy wheels

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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.

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Is a used SEAT Leon 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.

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1.6 TDI SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

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About the writer

Name: Stuart Milne

Title: Digital editor

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Stuart has been a motoring journalist for more than 25 years, writing and editing for a wide range of consumer titles. Today, Stuart is responsible for the smooth running of whatcar.com and all of its related social and digital channels. And he’s the man responsible for making sure you're able to find What Car?’s industry-leading content whenever you search for it.

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