How many miles has your CUPRA/SEAT done?

[Swansway Motor Group (SEAT & CUPRA)]

We always love seeing how well these cars are being used, so we thought this would be a fun one for the community.

How many miles has your CUPRA or SEAT covered so far?

• What model is it?
• Have you owned it from new?
• Any major repairs or issues along the way?
• Still going strong, or starting to show its age?
• What’s the highest mileage CUPRA/SEAT you’ve seen?

Whether you’ve just hit 10,000 miles or you’re well into six figures, we’d love to hear how your car has held up over time.

Photos of the odometer are definitely welcome too — especially if you’ve hit a milestone!

 

[Syphon]

No major issues thankfully, well it did have a flat battery a few times, but not since I've turned off Keyless entry and removed the carbon fibre cover from the key which affected range

 

[Rob66]

SEAT Leon 2.0 TFSI FR
Owned from new 03/2008
65k miles - no current intention of selling.

Issues/repairs:
Not many, all but the last 2 years has been serviced by SEAT Main Dealer. These are the only ones that come to mind:

New ABS sensor fitted
New rear Calliper as was sticking
New Front Coil Springs (rears will need changing soon)
One of the interior lights would not switch off (so bulb removed)
Anti Hijack, ‘lock at 10mph’ switched off as has a mind of its own
Radio was coming on randomly in the middle of the night probably about 10years ago, took out fuse for a few days and not happened since.
Starting to show its age:
Recently Auto lights seem a little reluctant to come on unless pitch black
Small amount of lacquer peel on driver’s door handle and headlight washer covers.

Cupra Formentor V2 204 Hybrid
3k miles
Owned for 3 months, loved it when it worked but had issues with the Mechatronic Unit and a few other things. We were offered our money back by our Cupra dealer. Now looking at a replacement but sadly probably not VAG

 

[serdar_18fr]

Previous car: 2018 SEAT Leon FR / 1.4 / 125hp / manual gearbox / Desire Red

Bought secondhand in May 2021, it was 2,5 years old & 24000 km, fully loaded with DCC, 18" alloys, Winter Pack, Seat Sound, Virtual Cockpit, pan-roof, almost everything except Driver Assistance features.

It was in top condition, I had it for 3,5 years, loved it so much, did a lot of genuine retrofits, all shared here. Plan was to keep it for a long long time but in a sudden wind of change, I wanted a more comfortable, bigger, automatic car and sold it in December 2024, at 67000 km in top condition. It didn't cause a problem, never a fault, not even once. I still miss her a lot.

Current one: 2025 CUPRA Ateca / 1.5 TSI ACT / DSG / Graphite Gray.

Bought new in December 2024, 14500 km so far. Again a fully loaded one with DCC, 19" alloys, Beats Audio, electric seat, pan-roof, bucket Alcantara seats & headliner in black, heated seats & steering wheel, and all available Driver Assistance stuff including Travel Assist with capacitive steering wheel. Some small cost-cutting measures of VAG were annoying me but I handled them all by doing genuine retrofits, again all shared here
No problems, no faults so far. I'm loving this one too, and this time I'm determined on staying true to the plan and keep it for a really long time, because if I sell it, I'm not sure if I could find any other brand new model that would satisfy my old school tastes & preferences

Cheers,
Serdar

 

[tracktoy]

Seat Cupra 280 with a Stage 3 Map and associated hardware

Purchased second hand from seat head office (1 year old)

Major repairs - Replaced DSG Gearbox as the old one blew up,
Minor repairs - Lots of failed sensors eg Speed (multiple times), pre and post cat sensors, lots of issues after new windscreen with sensors

Still going strong although an awful lot has been replaced with after market performance stuff

Mines only has 51k on the clock but the last 5 years most of that is going to and from and on the track.
however here a few old boys and girls still going, some examples below:

what have you done to your car today ?

Nothing, well maybe not nothing but very close to it.

www.seatcupra.net

highest mileage

just curious as to what mileages people have done and what they have got I will start exeo st se lux 2.0cr tdi 143 79000 miles totally standard.

www.seatcupra.net

“Downgrading” from a newer Civic to a Mk1 Leon

Hey folks! Long time since I last posted although I lurk on here occasionally ;) Hope you’re all well. So I have a “fun” 2nd car that is a heavily modified 350Z, and a 2010 1.8 Civic as a daily driver up and down the motorway (60 miles a day round trip, although I lift share so drive...

www.seatcupra.net

 

[BocaBill]

2011 Seat Ibiza Cupra Bocanegra - Dakota Red
End of year 2025 - 228 left registered on the road.

6th owner from 06/2018 bought on 46K in stock form, now just ticked over 91k

Stage 3 tuned with all associated mods.

Only 2 actual repairs to speak of was dsg clutch packs at 72K as I had a squeally release bearing and heater matrix around 85k
All other maintenance was carried out to accommodate upgrades
Revised valve springs
Timing chain
Waterpump/supercharger pully/belts

Good condition in all fairness, paint work showing signs of age (stonechips etc) but try to polish and protect it every year.

Still going strong either popping to the shops or being sent around a track.

 

[Railwayman]

First SEAT which replaced an 8 year old SAAB 93 estate, was a brand new 2018 Leon FR 150 5dr hatch in desire red. Only fault in 3.5 years was an electric window button (lost its stop part way function) The manual box was a little angry into first sometimes, but not a fault as such. That led me to wanting an automatic so a new 2021 Cupra Leon 245 hatchback arrived in silver. Definitely not as reliable as the mk3 as I had an issue with the auto hold (wouldn’t let go sometimes!) and cruise control wasn’t always available on start up. It also had the now legendary screen faults, popping sounds etc Lovely car to drive though and it clearly didn’t put me off as a return to a desire red version of the same model arrived late 2023 and I’ll be keeping it forever! (hopefully) Perfect except that it has the same cruise control fault strangely I’m convinced it’s something to do with the front sensor that has a meltdown on start up sometimes in winter. Five minutes of driving and everything is miraculously perfect again.

 

[Railwayman]

First SEAT which replaced an 8 year old SAAB 93 estate, was a brand new 2018 Leon FR 150 5dr hatch in desire red. Only fault in 3.5 years was an electric window button (lost its stop part way function) The manual box was a little angry into first sometimes, but not a fault as such. That led me to wanting an automatic so a new 2021 Cupra Leon 245 hatchback arrived in silver. Definitely not as reliable as the mk3 as I had an issue with the auto hold (wouldn’t let go sometimes!) and cruise control wasn’t always available on start up. It also had the now legendary screen faults, popping sounds etc Lovely car to drive though and it clearly didn’t put me off as a return to a desire red version of the same model arrived late 2023 and I’ll be keeping it forever! (hopefully) Perfect except that it has the same cruise control fault strangely I’m convinced it’s something to do with the front sensor that has a meltdown on start up sometimes in winter. Five minutes of driving and everything is miraculously perfect again.

I forgot to add, 23000 miles on the FR, approx 15000 on the first Cupra and now 16000 on the current one.

 

[Swansway Motor Group (SEAT & CUPRA)]

No major issues thankfully, well it did have a flat battery a few times, but not since I've turned off Keyless entry and removed the carbon fibre cover from the key which affected range


View attachment 54159View attachment 54160

Great to hear you haven't had any issues with your CUPRA Leon. A very interesting point about Keyless Entry and the carbon fibre cover!

 

[Swansway Motor Group (SEAT & CUPRA)]

SEAT Leon 2.0 TFSI FR
Owned from new 03/2008
65k miles - no current intention of selling.

Issues/repairs:
Not many, all but the last 2 years has been serviced by SEAT Main Dealer. These are the only ones that come to mind:

New ABS sensor fitted
New rear Calliper as was sticking
New Front Coil Springs (rears will need changing soon)
One of the interior lights would not switch off (so bulb removed)
Anti Hijack, ‘lock at 10mph’ switched off as has a mind of its own
Radio was coming on randomly in the middle of the night probably about 10years ago, took out fuse for a few days and not happened since.
Starting to show its age:
Recently Auto lights seem a little reluctant to come on unless pitch black
Small amount of lacquer peel on driver’s door handle and headlight washer covers.

Cupra Formentor V2 204 Hybrid
3k miles
Owned for 3 months, loved it when it worked but had issues with the Mechatronic Unit and a few other things. We were offered our money back by our Cupra dealer. Now looking at a replacement but sadly probably not VAG

Thank you for sharing your experience. It’s fantastic to hear how well you’ve looked after your SEAT Leon over the years — we’d say your meticulous maintenance routine has certainly played a big part in keeping it on the road for nearly 20 years!

It’s also great to hear your honest feedback on the Hybrid Formentor, and that you were able to reach a positive resolution with the dealership. We are curious - why are you swaying from the VAG group for your next car?

 

[Swansway Motor Group (SEAT & CUPRA)]

Previous car: 2018 SEAT Leon FR / 1.4 / 125hp / manual gearbox / Desire Red

Bought secondhand in May 2021, it was 2,5 years old & 24000 km, fully loaded with DCC, 18" alloys, Winter Pack, Seat Sound, Virtual Cockpit, pan-roof, almost everything except Driver Assistance features.

It was in top condition, I had it for 3,5 years, loved it so much, did a lot of genuine retrofits, all shared here. Plan was to keep it for a long long time but in a sudden wind of change, I wanted a more comfortable, bigger, automatic car and sold it in December 2024, at 67000 km in top condition. It didn't cause a problem, never a fault, not even once. I still miss her a lot.

Current one: 2025 CUPRA Ateca / 1.5 TSI ACT / DSG / Graphite Gray.

Bought new in December 2024, 14500 km so far. Again a fully loaded one with DCC, 19" alloys, Beats Audio, electric seat, pan-roof, bucket Alcantara seats & headliner in black, heated seats & steering wheel, and all available Driver Assistance stuff including Travel Assist with capacitive steering wheel. Some small cost-cutting measures of VAG were annoying me but I handled them all by doing genuine retrofits, again all shared here
No problems, no faults so far. I'm loving this one too, and this time I'm determined on staying true to the plan and keep it for a really long time, because if I sell it, I'm not sure if I could find any other brand new model that would satisfy my old school tastes & preferences

Cheers,
Serdar

Thanks for sharing your journey, Serdar — it’s clear how much passion and care you put into both of your cars. Your Leon sounds like an incredible spec, especially with all the genuine retrofits you carried out over the years. It says a lot that after 3.5 years and 67,000 km, it never gave you a single issue — no wonder you still miss it!

Your Ateca also sounds like a fantastic setup, and it’s great to hear you’ve already made it your own with more retrofits. We completely understand what you mean about “old school tastes & preferences” too — finding a new car that still delivers that balance of comfort, quality, physical features, and driving feel is becoming rarer.

Out of curiosity, what’s been your favourite retrofit or modification across both cars so far? And are there any features from the Leon you still wish the Ateca had kept?

 

[Swansway Motor Group (SEAT & CUPRA)]

2011 Seat Ibiza Cupra Bocanegra - Dakota Red
End of year 2025 - 228 left registered on the road.

6th owner from 06/2018 bought on 46K in stock form, now just ticked over 91k

Stage 3 tuned with all associated mods.

Only 2 actual repairs to speak of was dsg clutch packs at 72K as I had a squeally release bearing and heater matrix around 85k
All other maintenance was carried out to accommodate upgrades
Revised valve springs
Timing chain
Waterpump/supercharger pully/belts

Good condition in all fairness, paint work showing signs of age (stonechips etc) but try to polish and protect it every year.

Still going strong either popping to the shops or being sent around a track.

Thanks for sharing — it’s fantastic to see a Bocanegra still being enjoyed properly, especially with so few left on the road now. Yours sounds like a brilliant example of how regular maintenance and thoughtful upgrades can really extend the life of a performance car.

A Stage 3 setup with nearly 91k on the clock and still handling both daily duties and track days is seriously impressive! It also sounds like you’ve taken a very sensible approach with the preventative maintenance alongside the performance upgrades, which no doubt has helped keep it running strong.

We also love hearing that it’s still getting polished and protected every year — those little details really show the passion owners have for these cars.

Out of curiosity, what’s been your favourite modification so far, and do you think you’ll keep the Bocanegra long term given how rare they’re becoming?

 

[Rob66]

Thank you for sharing your experience. It’s fantastic to hear how well you’ve looked after your SEAT Leon over the years — we’d say your meticulous maintenance routine has certainly played a big part in keeping it on the road for nearly 20 years!

It’s also great to hear your honest feedback on the Hybrid Formentor, and that you were able to reach a positive resolution with the dealership. We are curious - why are you swaying from the VAG group for your next car?

Hi thanks for your reply,

The car is going to be my g/fs, and she needs something a little higher than a hatchback. To be honest i would probably buy another Formentor or Terramar but she is not really a car person and having been so disappointing with her 'lovely' Cupra I am struggling to persuade her thats a good idea. But good news we have 2 test drives on Sunday a VW Taigo Black Ed 1.5 and a new T Roc, so will see how it goes, my fingers are crossed she falls for one of them (and it's a Cupra Dealer as well so I may try my luck again).

Here's our previous Formentor and my Leon last week