Make sure the timing belt's been replaced (preferably recently). The belt is good for about 50-70k miles, but if it sheds, it totals the engine.
Other issues that I have had with mine (I've got a 20V SE), are...
1. Brake light switch. It's a simple plastic do-da that fits on the back of the brake pedal. It has a common tendency to fail on the Toledo/Leon/Octavia/Bora/Gold etc, and is really just down to a bad design of the switch itself. It's not such a
problem on a manual, but on an automatic (like mine), if it goes- usually without warning, and the car's in 'park' you're stuck. Advice is, buy one from Seat (only about £8), and keep as a spare. If it does go, get the AA/RAC to fit it and it'll save you
garage labour.
2. MAF sensor. Again, these fail suddenly (and sometimes often apparently). It'll get you home, but your performance will be way off. Mine went, and I couldn't get the thing above 50!
3. Lambda sensor. Same as 2, but not so often a failure.
I've found that it's mainly electrical niggles if anything.
Cheers,
Mark
