Seat Leon 2012

2012 Seat Leon: what owners report

• Second-generation (2005-2012) Leons with TSI petrol engines are known for timing chains that can stretch and jump, risking serious engine damage.2005–2012
• The 2005-2012 car is the weakest generation at the German TÜV, with oil leaks, exhaust defects and front lighting faults flagged as it ages.2005–2012
• A Polish used-car guide reports manual gearbox bearing failures on the 2012-2020 car, especially the five-speed; separately, a 1.6 TDI in Auto Bild's long-term test lost its gearbox. These are one editorial and one test car, not a survey.2012–2020
• On the 2012-2020 car, German TÜV inspectors rate the steering and driveshafts as strengths, axle mount defects as below average and the brake lines and hoses as flawless.2012–2020