Known SEAT problems at the APK

• Mii 2011–2022 · 5.8% at 11–12 yrs (national 2.9%)
• Ibiza IV 2008–2018 · 6.3% at 13–15 yrs (national 3.9%)
• Altea 2005–2016 · 4.7% at 11–12 yrs (national 2.8%)
• Tarraco 2018–2025 · 2.5% at 3–4 yrs (national 0.6%)
• Ateca 2016–2026 · 3.3% at 5–6 yrs (national 1.8%)
• Arona 2017–2026 · 3.0% at 5–6 yrs (national 1.9%)
• Leon III 2012–2021 · 2.9% at 5–6 yrs (national 1.8%)
• Ibiza V 2017–2026 · 1.4% at 3–4 yrs (national 0.7%)

Look through the wheel at the discs: no deep grooves or thick rust edge. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stay straight.

• Altea 2005–2016 · 14.1% at 16+ yrs (national 5.6%)
• Mii 2011–2022 · 8.3% at 13–15 yrs (national 2.5%)
• Leon II 2005–2014 · 11.2% at 16+ yrs (national 5.9%)
• Leon III 2012–2021 · 4.6% at 13–15 yrs (national 2.4%)
• Ibiza IV 2008–2018 · 4.2% at 13–15 yrs (national 2.5%)
• Tarraco 2018–2025 · 1.0% at 5–6 yrs (national 0.1%)
• Leon IV 2020–2026 · 1.3% at 5–6 yrs (national 0.5%)

Switch on the ignition: all lights come on briefly and go out after starting. If one stays on, ask about the cause.

• Altea 2005–2016 · 8.1% at 16+ yrs (national 2.7%)
• Leon II 2005–2014 · 6.8% at 16+ yrs (national 2.7%)
• Leon III 2012–2021 · 5.4% at 13–15 yrs (national 1.4%)
• Ibiza IV 2008–2018 · 4.7% at 13–15 yrs (national 1.4%)
• Ibiza V 2017–2026 · 1.2% at 7–8 yrs (national 0.5%)
• Leon IV 2020–2026 · 0.8% at 3–4 yrs (national 0.1%)
• Ateca 2016–2026 · 0.6% at 3–4 yrs (national 0.1%)

Push each corner down firmly: the car should rebound once. Look for oil on the dampers and whether the car sits level.

• Arona 2017–2026 · 17.5% at 7–8 yrs (national 1.2%)
• Ibiza V 2017–2026 · 17.2% at 7–8 yrs (national 1.2%)
• Ibiza IV 2008–2018 · 6.7% at 13–15 yrs (national 1.1%)
• Altea 2005–2016 · 4.4% at 16+ yrs (national 2.0%)
• Leon II 2005–2014 · 4.4% at 16+ yrs (national 2.0%)

Turn the wheel while stationary: no play, knocking or heavy spot. On the test drive the car should keep running straight.

• Leon II 2005–2014 · 17.3% at 13–15 yrs (national 5.6%)
• Altea 2005–2016 · 14.0% at 13–15 yrs (national 5.6%)
• Ibiza IV 2008–2018 · 11.8% at 13–15 yrs (national 5.6%)
• Leon III 2012–2021 · 6.1% at 11–12 yrs (national 2.7%)

Look under the engine and where the car was parked. Open the bonnet and look for wet, greasy spots.

• Altea 2005–2016 · 4.7% at 16+ yrs (national 2.0%)
• Ibiza IV 2008–2018 · 4.4% at 16+ yrs (national 2.0%)
• Leon II 2005–2014 · 3.5% at 16+ yrs (national 2.1%)
• Arona 2017–2026 · 0.7% at 7–8 yrs (national 0.4%)

Listen for clunks or knocks over speed bumps on the test drive. The car should not wander when braking.

• Altea 2005–2016 · 8.6% at 16+ yrs (national 3.4%)
• Leon II 2005–2014 · 8.5% at 16+ yrs (national 3.5%)
• Ibiza IV 2008–2018 · 4.6% at 13–15 yrs (national 1.8%)

Look behind the front wheels at the rubber boots: no tears or grease around them. Drive a tight turn: no clicking noise.

• Leon II 2005–2014 · 5.2% at 13–15 yrs (national 2.7%)
• Altea 2005–2016 · 3.8% at 11–12 yrs (national 1.4%)
• Ibiza IV 2008–2018 · 1.4% at 13–15 yrs (national 0.4%)

Start the engine cold and watch for smoke and an uneven idle. Listen for blowing noises under the car.

• Leon II 2005–2014 · 2.5% at 13–15 yrs (national 1.4%)
• Leon IV 2020–2026 · 0.7% at 5–6 yrs (national 0.3%)

On the test drive, listen for a humming noise that rises with speed.

• Altea 2005–2016 · 1.2% at 11–12 yrs (national 0.2%)
• Leon II 2005–2014 · 0.9% at 13–15 yrs (national 0.4%)

Look under the sills, in the wheel arches and at the suspension mounts, and press on suspicious spots. Watch for fresh sealant or new underbody coating.

• Altea 2005–2016 · 1.8% at 16+ yrs (national 1.1%)
• Mii 2011–2022 · 0.5% at 9–10 yrs (national 0.1%)

Use a torch to look along the lines near the wheels and rear axle: no thick rust or wet spots.

• Ibiza V 2017–2026 · 1.2% at 3–4 yrs (national 0.5%)
• Ateca 2016–2026 · 1.1% at 9–10 yrs (national 0.5%)

Pull each belt out quickly: it should lock. The airbag light goes out after starting.

• Mii 2011–2022 · 11.7% at 3–4 yrs (national 6.5%)

Walk around with the lights, indicators, brake lights and rear fog light on. Look for moisture in the headlights.

• Ibiza V 2017–2026 · 7.7% at 7–8 yrs (national 5.1%)

Check the tread and look for uneven wear: that points to an alignment problem. The DOT code on the tyre tells its age.

• Ibiza IV 2008–2018 · 1.6% at 16+ yrs (national 0.5%)

Open and close all doors and the tailgate. Uneven gaps and colour differences point to accident repair.