New Facelifted CUPRA Leon Hybrid Estate Owner - Tail Light Delamination Issue - Seeking Advice

[craigleese123]

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New Facelifted CUPRA Leon Hybrid Estate Owner - Tail Light Delamination Issue - Seeking Advice

Hello everyone,
Just wanted to share something that's really bugging me about my new facelifted CUPRA Leon Hybrid Estate. I picked it up from a CUPRA dealership on June 17, 2025. When I bought it, was pre-registered. It had just 22 miles on the clock, even though it's a '74 plate – so it was essentially brand new. Honestly, I absolutely love it! I've been super careful with it too – haven't even had it washed yet, was planning on a professional job.
But, I've hit a snag with the tail lights, and I'm hoping some of you might have gone through something similar or can offer some pointers.

What happened:​

So, on Saturday, July 6, 2025, I spotted that the driver's side tail light was actually delaminating. That instantly set off alarm bells for me. I definitely didn't notice this issue when I picked up the car. Then, looking closer, I noticed some minor damage on the passenger's side tail light too.
I quickly got in touch with my local CUPRA dealership, and one of their engineers had a quick look. They initially said they'd try to put it through on warranty. But, later that same day, I got the not-so-great news that the tail lights weren't covered under warranty, with the CUPRA dealership stating this was not a manufacturer defect.
Then, just this Tuesday, July 9, 2025, I saw that the passenger's side tail light is now starting to delaminate in the same way as the driver's side. The car has done 900 miles to date, and I'm starting to think this issue is related to vibration or something similar, as it seems to be getting worse the more I drive it. To me, that really screams manufacturer defect, especially since I've been so careful with the car and both lights are showing similar issues.

Where I'm at now:​

The good news is, my local CUPRA dealership has agreed to reinspect the car. This inspection is booked for Thursday, July 17, 2025, and will be carried out by their warranty administrator.

Any advice or experiences?​

• Has anyone else had their CUPRA tail lights delaminate like this?
• If you have, how did it all get sorted out? Was it covered by warranty, or did you have to push for it?
• Any general tips on dealing with CUPRA on something like this, especially since they initially said no to the warranty?

It's pretty frustrating when you get a new car and then something like this pops up, especially when I'm convinced it's a factory fault. Any thoughts or advice from you lot would be a huge help!

​

many thanks
Craig

 

[Seriously?]

Have a search on the forum ; I'm pretty sure that we've seen this (or similar) before. Hope you get it sorted satisfactorily.
(How can tail lights not be covered under warranty on a brand new car??)

Edit:,
Nothing here to suggest tail lights are not covered:
https://www.cupraofficial.co.uk/con...24/cupra-5-year-warranty-terms-conditions.pdf

 

[craigleese123]

Thank you Seriously? for your comment and warranty extract.

I was told the issue with the tail lights are not a manufacturing defect and therefore not covered. I think there were suggesting the tail lights have been hit or something since i owned the car but is nonsense. The car is in mint condition apart from the tail lights.

you are correct too, it has been raised before: https://www.seatcupra.net/forums/threads/weird-cracks-on-my-tail-light.479251/

 

[SRGTD]

@Seriously? - I’ve just been looking through Cupra’s warranty T&C’s and agree, there’s certainly no mention of rear lights being specifically excluded. @craigleese123 - if the dealership maintains tail lights aren’t covered under warranty, I’d ask the dealer to show you the specific exclusion of tail lights In the warranty.

If the dealer still maintains replacement of the rear lights isn’t covered under warranty, I’d try a different Cupra Dealer. With issues such as this, there seems to be an inconsistent approach applied by dealerships; some owners have had light clusters replaced under warranty whereas other owners have had their warranty claims denied. Hopefully persistence on your part will pay off.

Good luck ; please keep this discussion topic updated with developments and the outcome one.

 

[craigleese123]

@Seriously? - I’ve just been looking through Cupra’s warranty T&C’s and agree, there’s certainly no mention of rear lights being specifically excluded. @craigleese123 - if the dealership maintains tail lights aren’t covered under warranty, I’d ask the dealer to show you the specific exclusion of tail lights In the warranty.

If the dealer still maintains replacement of the rear lights isn’t covered under warranty, I’d try a different Cupra Dealer. With issues such as this, there seems to be an inconsistent approach applied by dealerships; some owners have had light clusters replaced under warranty whereas other owners have had their warranty claims denied. Hopefully persistence on your part will pay off.

Good luck ; please keep this discussion topic updated with developments and the outcome one.

Many thanks for the reply.

Good shout - I have numerous Cupra dealers within a 40 mile radius so i will try this if the latest inspection fails. I'm disappointed on this approach though from Cupra, i should not need to argue this matter, the car is a lot of money and for me it is clear that is a manufacturing defect.

 

[Seriously?]

Many thanks for the reply.

Good shout - I have numerous Cupra dealers within a 40 mile radius so i will try this if the latest inspection fails. I'm disappointed on this approach though from Cupra, i should not need to argue this matter, the car is a lot of money and for me it is clear that is a manufacturing defect.

Unfortunately, like many things in life, some car dealerships are better than others. I'm lucky in that we have a local-ish small family run company who actually (a) know what they're talking about and (b) want to retain you as a customer; not just sell you a car.
Others patently rely heavily on their copy of The Big Book Of Car Dealers Excuses