Seat Leon Cupra ST (Mk3 2020) ~50k miles - Leaking front shock absorber

[Ypowt]

Hi all,

Just taken my Seat Leon Cupra ST in for an annual service (2nd year of owning the car), and it's been flagged that my front nearside front shock absorber is 'leaking' and requires replacement (as usual advise is to replace in pairs, which I understand).

Car is sitting at just under 50k miles at the moment - not sure if that is the expected lifespan for these parts, something tells me not?

Aware from reading online that there is a different between 'hazing' and 'leaking' (the latter would resolve in an MOT fail and will definitely need doing). I'm going to ring and ask them to clarify the 'leaking' comment, while my MOT is due in a month, so I'm hoping that both will help to determine whether its something that need urgently doing, or whether I can hold off in the short term.

Nevertheless, the independent garage the car is with has quoted £1268.06 for replacement of both shock absorbers - I'm not overly familiar with cost of various part replacements, so trying to gauge based on what I've read whether this is overly high (or whether the estimates online are likely based on non-Cupra i.e. non-performance vehicles).

Keen to know if anyone has had this work done, and or has an idea how much this would cost with a main dealer, and ultimately whether this sounds 'about right' for cost of parts and labour involved?

Thanks in advance.

JD

 

[James_R]

Post some pictures up, that's the best way for us to judge the condition of them

 

[Ypowt]

Post some pictures up, that's the best way for us to judge the condition of them

Sadly I don't have any at the moment, garage haven't shared any. I have been in touch with them and they did confirm that it's definitely a leak (rather than hazing or weeping), although I am taking them at their word (in fairness they have been reasonable in the past).

 

[SuperV8]

Do you have electrically controlled adjustable dampers?
If yes these genuine dampers are around £300+ each vs normal damper at around £100 + any bolts/bushes they also change.

My data is showing 2.7hours (decimal) to replace both front shocks.
Don't know what Seat main dealer chargers per hour? I know Landrover and suspect other 'premium' brands are at £250 per hour now! so you can insert the hourly cost - to see if their quote seems reasonable?

If they are actually leaking - then yes they should be replaced. Does seem early at that mileage - but sometimes 'stuff' happens!
If they are misting then there is some 'allowance' from VAG - though in my opinion if they are misting, then oil is slowly escaping and they will need changing at some point in the next year or two.

A shock leak is an MOT failure, misting is an MOT advisory.

I would clean the shock - and monitor in the coming days/weeks.

 

[RUM4MO]

I think that last night I bumped into/onto a page of “guff” from Monroe, pointing out that their offerings last for a long time and are extremely reliable.
Shame that VW Group used their DCC dampers on these cars, but maybe a design/fitment issue by VW Group is to blame for many or most front LHS dampers leaking at an early age.