Repairs and Costs Over 205,000 miles in a SEAT Leon Petrol

This 2014 SEAT Leon is my learner car which I've owned since new and have covered 205,000 miles mostly with learner drivers behind the wheel. In this video I detail everything that has gone wrong and how much it has cost to fix and keep it in nearly new condition over that mileage. Also, I have recorded over 600 fuel tank fill ups so I have an accurate fuel economy figure.

00:00 Time not mileage
02:38 Warranty repairs
06:36 Out of warranty repairs
16:00 Wear and tear
26:02 Servicing
29:13 Paint
30:35 New cost and options
31:36 Engines and suspension
35:02 Finance
35:32 Why I've kept it
45:12 Costs
50:58 Replacement?

[T.K.]

I think in the USA if my memory serves me right, an oil rig worker managed to clock in 1 million miles on his Toyota Tundra just driving from rig to rig to maintain them.

Toyota sent their engineers and bought that car from the guy so they can examine the engine.

And Toyota gave the guy a new one for free.

[insertnamehere]

It's refreshing to see someone be so in touch with how their car should feel and keeping up the maintenance, after all these are hard working machines and can only do their job with your help replacing components and servicing

[codefident]

I can't believe this previous gen of Leon is 10 years old! Those cars still look great and modern and the interior is far superior to the new cars from VAG (as also many other brands nowadays)

[paulstaffordcook]

Wow! This vid deserves a million views. I watched every minute. I too am an ADI but I don’t know how to work on cars…. Hence I pay full price for servicing and repairs and I “trade in” for replacement cars FAR too often. I must have spent thousands more than you. I’m also an avid researcher of cars on YouTube which has led me to believe that VAG cars are to be avoided (unreliability). But after watching your vid, I’m actually surprised and impressed with how your 1.4 TSI has held up. This vid blows my mind with how accurate you have been with record keeping etc. One last thing…… I can totally relate to your desire for that special car (the GR Yaris). I succumbed to that urge a few years ago and bought a Fiesta ST for driving instruction. Crazy idea and completely inappropriate. But my god, it was fun. I’m not officially recommending that you do it ( the ride was quite unforgiving) but if you DO buy the Yaris I’m sure you’ll have a ball 😊

[tnvcxzd]

My old 08 Mondeo is still alive. I took it from 19k to 180k. Sold it 7 years ago and saw it a few months back. It went to Tromso in Norway (6000 miles in 2 weeks) and down to Gibraltar, everywhere in between. Same clutch and only bits n bobs going wrong. That car was a legend and I once did 840 miles in Norway before the fuel light came on. It would do 45mpg on the autobahn over 100mph and would eat miles. I'm glad it's still alive but in a new home. I sometimes wish I kept it.

[michaelherrmann]

Well done. I Have got an Audi A3 1.9 TDI Automatic since 1998 with well over 700 000 kms, which I drive by HAND. So keep this SEAT. Greetings from Cologne in Germany. With 51 litres of Diesel I can drive 1337 kms from Spain to Belgium for example...

[KronoReaper]

How in the name of god did you manage to make me watch a whole ass 1 hour video without skipping a minute, you’re amazing and so is that seat. I wouldn’t go for a Mazda as I’m not sure it would stay rust free on the underside for a long time

[macinjosh]

I think another reason you can add to that list of good points about this car is the looks! This era of Leon still looks modern, fresh and sleek to me - whenever I see one or watch your videos I find it hard to believe that the design is almost 11 years old... and I was 8 years old when you picked up this car in 2014 (time really does move too fast!) and that point about the sentimental value - very true! This car if you think about it has been the one that helped you grow the Conquer Driving YouTube channel - a channel that now almost has 750, 000 subscribers! It can be hard to let go of certain things - especially when you get used to them! If you wanted to sell it you could probably flog it to Car Throttle, they might like another high milage hero ;)

[midinotes]

There aren't many 1 hour videos I watch all the way through, but Richard this is an incredibly insightful, powerful, informative and important video that young drivers should watch. I am also impressed though at how much of the maintenance and part changes you did yourself! Whilst I realise for many of us, the labour costs are likely to be an additional factor to repairs and maintenance, there is so much common sense in this video backed up with proper hard evidence. I've always liked this Seat Leon even though I've never owned or driven one! Looks to be a great motor and I don't blame you for hanging on to it. Changing seats, headlining, steering wheels, handbrakes and carpets.. wow that is true dedication but also an example of how you can preserve a car (and the planet), as well as your wallet! Excellent video Richard, thank you for this and like other viewers I hope this takes off and gets plenty of views.

[TheTangodog]

Glad you were able to replace the infotainment system. This is what really dates older cars these days.

[blackballed]

This video explains a lot as I wondered how your seats and steering wheel looked so nice with over 200, 000 miles.

[davidlang]

Richard, you are an absolute legend. Your attention to detail is second to none. I cannot believe that you have added up every fuel receipt over 205, 000 miles. However, this attention to detail has paid off as not many cars driven under these sort of conditions would last nearly as long - I think that Seat should give you an award! All the best for the next 205, 000 miles.

[djdelarosa]

That car has lived an exceptional life and it's amazing to see it still in such great condition.

[BlixtMedia]

200, 000 miles and still pristine, excellent job Richard, conquer driving was a godsend for me aswell so thank you

[hunters]

Absolutely testament to your decision to put your faith in Seat, your decision has absolutely paid it’s dues.
This car has had to work many times over than equivalent commuter vehicles yet has only had issues associated with wear/tear and/or issues from the factory replaced under warranty.
You seen to have had very bad luck with your VAG folding mirrors motors, my 10 year ford mirrors have yet to fail so keeping my fingers crossed!
Many mechanics will swoon at the underside of your car at that age, many cars that haven’t even reached their warranty expiry look scabbier than the photo you showed, gobsmacked!

[colinburns]

A very good review. I have a 2017 FR 150 ACT. Purchased nearly new, only 4000 miles on the clock and under a year old. I have never had an issue with the car in over 6 years of ownership. Not even a bulb. It's been serviced every year without fail, and has been superb. One of the best hatchbacks of its time. Mine has only 33, 000 miles from new. £35 pounds road tax per year, and can achieve over 60 mpg. Cheap to insure, and has a top speed of 134 mph. An excellent car by all means. I will be holding on to it for a while yet.

The amount of useful information condensed in this video is out of this world for fellow Leon owners. Thank you.

[crisp]

Not surprised to hear you mention the Mazda 3 as a potential replacement vehicle. Every other car I look at buying, I always think "I could get all those features and more from the Mazda 3 for many thousands of pounds less".

[Koryhun]

Very good maintained car! I have the same FR model, 1st owner 2018, facelifted model (1.4 TSI 150bhp), after ~40k km installed REVO official partner stage 1 tune, ~191 bhp, 300 Nm). The only warranty repair was the boot "shade" roll locker, which was faulty. ~100k km. Wear and tear: rear brakes and discs, tires, still original battery! (Start-stop disabled) and of course filters and oil changes.

[williamegler]

I am a viewer from the United States and in 2001 I purchased a brand new Saturn LW300 wagon.
That model is an Opel/Vauxhall Vectra B modified for the US market.
It has the 3.0 24v V6 and 4spd automatic.
It has 386, 000 miles on the original engine and transmission and the car starts instantly regardless of how long it's been sitting or the weather and runs and drives fine. The only issues it's ever had were shift solenoids that were replaced at 220, 000 miles and multiple valve cover gaskets.
It has never failed to start and it's only been towed twice.
Once when the fuel pump failed and once when the alternator failed.
Routine servicing by a knowledgeable mechanic over the years has resulted in exemplary reliability and durability.
It is a semi-retired dog taxi and extra vehicle now but it still accumulates between 7 and 10000 Mi a year.
A 2018 Buick Regal Tourx which is a rebadged Opel Insignia replaced it and it's already accumulated 135, 000 MI it is showing similar levels of reliability and durability.