Faults:

I've previously owned VW Golf's and been very happy apart from the Power Steering feeling too light on the new Golf. So when I drove the Seat Leon I was pleasantly surprised as the drive felt much more 'solid' and the price/value for money was great.

Since picking up the car I've had loads of niggles, the main one being dodgy door locks which tended to seize and getting a replacement from the dealership was a nightmare. I had a problem with the setting on the carb (I think) which causes problems with over-revving (ie to 5,000 revs) when I was slowing or stationary, this was sorted OK under warranty.

I've recently had a new problem with petrol fumes in the cabin towards the rear passengers seats, this is mainly when the tank is full and in hot weather. The garage didn't know what to suggest and I'm loath to let them tinker in case they just replace the fuel tank etc using guess work. A friend lifted up the rear passenger seat to discover a hatch which can be unscrewed to show the top of the fuel tank and pump, there was a surrounding 'moat' which was full of petrol. I wondered why the garage didn't look for this straight away. Has anyone had this problem? Any suggestions?

Faults:

I have only had this car 1 month. I originally thought about buying an Astra, but found the Leon cheaper with a bigger engine and a much higher spec.

Airbag warning light has remained on.

Front fog light bulb has blown and it can only be replaced by the dealer.

No leakage problems even though I have driven the car in very wet weather on several occasions and checked the door sills each time with no problems.

General Comments:

In a straight line the car is quick and it has a lot of torque at high cruising speed.

The seats are very comfortable.

The quality of the stereo has to be experienced to believe.

It is cheap to insure and is also very economical.

The car handles well.

Faults:

Chrome on handbrake switch missing form new, dealer still hasn't sorted.

Interior door card handles - plastic is worn away by finger nails or keys etc. Very unsightly!

Seat 60,000 mile service missed worn rear brake pads! caused rear near side pad to destroy disc! Had rear brakes replaced by another supplier, but Seat paid the bill.

Have had a few doubts about reliability of Seat servicing, but I have to say anything under the warranty they took care of well. For example I had a water pump leak which the 60,000 mile service did find. Not only did they replace the water pump but also the cam belt which the cam belt would have normally cost over £200 to replace.

General Comments:

The Leon SE TDI has been a very good reliable car up until + 60,000 miles. Hopefully not too many new problems will develop.

My car has been driven hard on the motorway so I can forgive the odd thing that goes wrong.

Having driven the equiv TDI VW the Seat TDI is a much better car mainly for performance with road handling. It's suspension is setup just right and does not give like the VW overing a much more assured ride, especially on mountain roads such as I've driven from Madrid to Oviedo, Spain. (my car is a UK car)

The 110 bhp is just enough and allows overtaking speed and minimal gear changing.

My car is black, as with all black cars their hard to keep clean. Go for silver, red or blue if possible.