Buying my first Seat!

[Nathana94]

Hello all! After scrolling through countless threads and cars, I’m finally going for my first Seat! (A Leon FR 184 TDi). I’m just hoping someone may be able to help with a few things.
I’ve read through some posts but given some are dated I wanted to see if on anything have changed!

The car is a 15 plate with just under 45k on the clock. What should I be looking for when I view it and is there anything that’s a common problem I should be aware of? I’ve flagged to the dealer to check the DSG has been serviced and that the timing belt/water pump were changed, but just wondered if there’s anything else?

Looking forward to getting hold of it provided it’s all in check! Will be sad to see the Fiesta ST go though haha.

 

[BigJase88]

Yeah just make sure it’s had the timing belt done as its overdue on age alone. Also the DSG service is due / overdue, think thats every 40k

 

[Nathana94]

Yeah just make sure it’s had the timing belt done as its overdue on age alone. Also the DSG service is due / overdue, think thats every 40k

Yeah those two things will be done or I won’t be taking the car haha!
In terms of the DPF, is there anything I can do to check it’s healthy and not going to throw up a warning light after 2 miles?

 

[black_sheep]

Water pump was a weak link on these engines across the entire VAG range. Make sure it was changed during cam belt service.

Also, blocked heater matrix is very common - uneven heat distribution across the front vents and coolant dropping to low on a frequent basis, especially during DPF regen. Causes include sand from casting process not removed during manufacture or split silica bag in coolant.

Many people get the silica bag removed from the coolant expansion tank, and change the coolant frequently (the idea of the silica bag was that the coolant would last the life of the car, but it can split and cause blockages).

 

[black_sheep]

Yeah those two things will be done or I won’t be taking the car haha!
In terms of the DPF, is there anything I can do to check it’s healthy and not going to throw up a warning light after 2 miles?

You can use a scanning tool check the health of the DPF.

 

[Mr Pig]

I wouldn't worry about the DPF. At that millage it should be fine They're not known for issues.

 

[Nathana94]

Thanks guys! The dealer just said they’ve had “conflicting information on when the DSG should be serviced”, but I don’t think I’ll be taking it without!
he’s mentioned the timing belt has been changed, but hasn’t mentioned the water pump which I’ve flagged to him again.. I did read that it should be done between 60-90k though, in that case will the car be good for another ~20k or should I be done at 5 years regardless? Another site I read also mentioned the pulleys should be done at the same time, is that needed or overkill at this point?
sorry for all the questions, I’m hoping someone had a 15 plate long enough to know all this stuff, think I’m just worried about taking it and the DSG packs in and I’m sat with a nice paperweight!

 

[BigJase88]

Thanks guys! The dealer just said they’ve had “conflicting information on when the DSG should be serviced”, but I don’t think I’ll be taking it without!
he’s mentioned the timing belt has been changed, but hasn’t mentioned the water pump which I’ve flagged to him again.. I did read that it should be done between 60-90k though, in that case will the car be good for another ~20k or should I be done at 5 years regardless? Another site I read also mentioned the pulleys should be done at the same time, is that needed or overkill at this point?
sorry for all the questions, I’m hoping someone had a 15 plate long enough to know all this stuff, think I’m just worried about taking it and the DSG packs in and I’m sat with a nice paperweight!

Waterpump and tensioner is usually changed with the timing belt, or at least it should be done. Make zero sense not replacing these.

 

[Mr Pig]

I'd want to see a Seat dealer stamp for the timing belt. Seat give you a five-year warranty on it and replace the water pump.

I sold our last car needing the belt done and discounted the car accordingly. The guy got a local garage to do it cheap and they did not change the water pump. Idiot.

 

[Nathana94]

I'd want to see a Seat dealer stamp for the timing belt. Seat give you a five-year warranty on it and replace the water pump.

I sold our last car needing the belt done and discounted the car accordingly. The guy got a local garage to do it cheap and they did not change the water pump. Idiot.

The car isn’t coming from a Seat dealer, so it won’t have a Seat stamp I don’t think as they confirmed in the email they’ve just changed it themselves. would I be likely to have many problems if it’s not from a Seat Dealer? I’m a bit scared to say where it’s coming from in case I get lynched hahah!
Would it be worth looking at an extended warranty from Seat do you think? For this car Seat have quoted £68 per month?

 

[Mr Pig]

It depends on the dealer. If it's a big, reputable dealer and they've stamped the book fair enough. If it's a back-street outfit, mmm. Different story. I had a guy fake a timing belt stamp in the book a few years ago. Thankfully I contacted the garage who he claimed had done it and they checked their records and confirmed they had not.

 

[Nathana94]

It depends on the dealer. If it's a big, reputable dealer and they've stamped the book fair enough. If it's a back-street outfit, mmm. Different story. I had a guy fake a timing belt stamp in the book a few years ago. Thankfully I contacted the garage who he claimed had done it and they checked their records and confirmed they had not.

It’s definitely a big dealer, just one that doesn’t have the best customer after care per se, gets a lot of stick (and some of it rightly so) but I’ve never had a problem with them. I’ll have a proper look over it and check the service history before signing anything, hate buying cars for exactly this reason! Hah

 

[Mr Pig]

hate buying cars for exactly this reason! Hah

Tell me about it! Don't know what's worse, buying cars or selling them.

 

[BigJase88]

It’s definitely a big dealer, just one that doesn’t have the best customer after care per se, gets a lot of stick (and some of it rightly so) but I’ve never had a problem with them. I’ll have a proper look over it and check the service history before signing anything, hate buying cars for exactly this reason! Hah

Arnold Clark

 

[Nathana94]

Arnold Clark

Can I have a head start to run from the mob or…

 

[BigJase88]

Can I have a head start to run from the mob or…

You won’t get a discount

“our cars are the cheapest in the country”

 

[Nathana94]

You won’t get a discount

“our cars are the cheapest in the country”

To be fair, this one is only £9k and with the mileage it’s actually the cheapest I’ve seen this time! Although I’m just waiting for “if you want XYZ it’ll cost you”

 

[Mr Pig]

To be fair, this one is only £9k and with the mileage it’s actually the cheapest I’ve seen this time!

It doesn't seem that cheap to me? I have a 16-plate 150 TSi FR with about 42K on it. Full Seat history and I'd happily sell it for 9K.

No offence but I wouldn't buy a car from Arnold Clark. I know people who have and have had zero issues but I don't trust them. A lot of people do though so if they've changed the belt and stamped the book I'm sure it will be fine. I wouldn't be worried about it. Changing a timing belt is not a tricky job.

 

[Nathana94]

It doesn't seem that cheap to me? I have a 16-plate 150 TSi FR with about 42K on it. Full Seat history and I'd happily sell it for 9K.

No offence but I wouldn't buy a car from Arnold Clark. I know people who have and have had zero issues but I don't trust them. A lot of people do though so if they've changed the belt and stamped the book I'm sure it will be fine. I wouldn't be worried about it. Changing a timing belt is not a tricky job.

Ah really? I’ve just gone off what I’ve seen elsewhere (dealers, not private sales) and the valuation sites I checked had the car around the same price.

I know plenty of people have issues with them - I’ve had two of my cars from my local AC and I’ve not had any issues with the cars really. There was one time I took one in for a jammed wing mirror and they looked at the window and said it seemed fine but they soon apologised and sorted the wing mirror - despite my own experiences with them, it’s still all the horror stories online that make me fret a bit haha

 

[Mr Pig]

I’ve had two of my cars from my local AC and I’ve not had any issues with the cars really.

I think that's the key, build up a relationship with them. If they know you'll be back again you'll get better service.