Identity Crisis

[Matt86]

(Sorry Mods if this is in the wrong section)

In the process of buying a 2002 Leon, and its advertised as a 1.8 20V T Cupra, however it is clearly a German import from the details or lack thereof on the V5 doc and the location of the stamps in the service manual.
When applying for insurance and I type in the registration number, it comes up with a Leon 1.8 20V SE and doesn't recognise the turbo.
It also states on the V5 that it is a Leon 1.8 S which seems incorrect and needs changing. (I'm under the impression that SEAT never made a 1.8 S).
There is no Cupra badge on the back, just the 1.8 20V T all in silver.
Is this Leon basically a T Cupra spec engine without the name or something else... and what on Earth do I insure it as.

Please help...

 

[m0rk]

you need to contact the DVLA to get them to fix it, but insure it as the car it is

 

[Avant4me]

MORK is right. this is going to be a struggle. you need to update the DVLA, until then you will struggle to get an insurance company to comprehend exactly what you are trying to insure. But you must persevere. If they setup the insurance as a 1.8 SE and you are in an accident, it will make the insurance void. Basically if the certificate doesn't cover what the car truely is, then your up the creak with out a paddle in the event of a cliam.

 

[Matt86]

I'll get the dealer to send off the amended log book to the DVLA when i buy it. In the mean time i'll contact SEAT and get them to properly identify the car from the VIN and take it from there. I just hope I'll be driving it by the weekend.

thanks

 

[skahigh]

'02...could the s represent sport (aka cupra)?

 

[Smart22186]

See if you can find your engine code matt, that will tell you what the car really is

 

[Leigh15]

From Leon FAQ in the infobase -

Technically 20VT Cupra's are only badges as such for the UK market, they are SPORT (as is the original TDi SE) elsewhere.

That'll explain the identity confusion. The car IS a Cupra but is sold as a Sport in Europe - that must be what the S on the V5 stands for

 

[ElasticTangent]

My previous Leon was a Cupra and full UK spec. Quite often I found that when I entered the registration into Confused.com and other websites it came back as a 1.8SE. You need to make sure you get this one right from the start.

 

[LiCkWiD]

Confused.com thought my Leon Mk1 F-L Cupra was a 1.8 SE also.. was tempted to just go with it and claim ignorance later on.. the premium was £500 fully comp. That or the £900ish I'm paying now... HMMM Let me think!?!? But it's a waste of time.. the certificate would be worthless so I bit the bullet and insured it as a Leon Cupra, regardless of what their database said.

 

[Matt86]

So if i was to insure it as a European import, 1.8 20V T Cupra, would that still give an insurance company the opportunity to void my insurance in the event of an accident? Its starting to look a little bit clearer now.. thanks

 

[Cupra_joeboy]

dodgy grounds this, becarefull and make sure its right from the start, when my dad moved back to Italy, he took his TT and his pride and joy Escort RS Cosworth, he struggled like mad to get insurance over there for both till he had re registered both cars, with his new address, took ages.

the leon 20vt sport/cupra you have may still not be registered correctly, have you got your V5 back from the DVLA yet, or even sent them off?

this may be the problem.

 

[Matt86]

No i had a small deposit on the car, and have since decided not to buy it, so the V5 wasn't my responsibility. Only one insurance company would properly cover me and they wanted an extortionate amount (close to £4000).
I'm still leaving my options open, but I don't think an import is the right car for me.
Eying up a UK 1.9 TDI SE 130 though.

thank you all for your help