New Seat Leon - how reliable

spinybif_2

Fancy a new SEAT Leon 1.6 diesel DSG but unsure of reliability, some reports say VW based so ok, others slate Spanish build quality.

Any thoughts

Thanks

leveller2911

Aren't Skodas VAG too? so there shouldn't be any issues with parts, just build quality I should imagine......I'm looking at a new Skoda Octavia vrs , on my 2nd Skoda and went looking on Sat and TBH nothing else caught my eye ( looked at KIA,Mazda,Toyota )

neilmcl

spinybif wrote: »

Fancy a new SEAT Leon 1.6 diesel DSG but unsure of reliability, some reports say VW based so ok, others slate Spanish build quality.

Any thoughts

Thanks

Good, solid engines, pretty well put together but not really comparable to an equivalent Golf or A3 in terms of materials. I had an old shaped Leon Cupra Tdi which was a great car but the new style is really plasticky in comparison.

vikingaero

The only issue with Seats are the low rent plastics. Quality is fairly good. My only quibble is the long term reliability of the DSG gearbox. If you plan to only keep the car for only 3 years then it's not a problem.

Gloomendoom

We have 1999 SEAT. 140k and nothing has fallen off yet.

As has been pointed out, DSG gearboxes are very complex (any make) and their long term reliability is unproven.

Not a problem if you get rid of it before the warranty expires though.

frothey

neilmcl wrote: »

Good, solid engines, pretty well put together but not really comparable to an equivalent Golf or A3 in terms of materials.

not really comparable in price either!

The golf has become very bland and the a3(speaking as an A3 owner) they aren't really worth the money compared to Toyota for build, materials, etc, the badge is.

DSG is most traders concerns, mega money to fix if/when it goes wrong.

motorguy

If you're buying a Leon TDI because you really really like them then great BUT

(a) its quite an old model now
(b) the interior plastics are poor
(c) the residual values are poor
(d) it gets mediocre reviews (just three stars on what car?)

Whilst people will bang the drum that its much cheaper than an equivalent golf, if you check out what cars price comparison costs, it only works out 1p per mile cheaper than the equivalent golf over three years.

Gloomendoom

OP have you driven a diesel DSG Leon? It was on my shortlist recently but, despite being used to autos, I really didn't like the way it drove. My wife hated it.

I would also confirm that the interior has a low budget look and feel. IMHO the front three-quarter visibility was very poor too.