SEAT Leon Hatchback (2005 - 2012) 1.9 TDI Stylance 5d (2006/55) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I hope it says that I'm an individual and free-thinker, not someone who just follows the popular marques, slightly quirky and unusual but know exactly what I want.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Really impressed – many of them would never have considered SEAT before, but are more likely to now.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Definitely. It's fantastic to drive, and even at 7½ years old and ~90k miles, it still feels rock solid and as good as new. The only slight niggle is that older models like this one aren't as economical as newer models, but compared with other cars of its age it still fares well.

What are you likely to buy next?

Possibly another Leon, or also quite impressed with the Hyundai i30 and Kia Cee'd.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£6,000

When did you buy the car?

January 2011

Did you get a good deal and why?

I got a good price, particularly when they had to carry out an expensive repair that they hadn't checked before putting it up for sale.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I liked the look of the Leon, the reviews were good, and this model had all the kit I wanted and a good VAG engine at a decent price.

What was the dealer like?

[Dealership was Pendragon Group, not SEAT] Utterly appalling, in every way. Communication was non existent and I had to chase them every step of the way. They tried to back out of the responsibilities when a fault was discovered and tried to bully me into cancelling the contract. Delivery date was delayed and delayed. Even when it was agreed they pushed me back til the end of the day (so it was dark and I couldn't inspect the car properly) after I'd asked for a morning pick-up, and then kept me waiting half an hour after my appointment. Car was supplied with defective and illegal tyres.

What's it like to drive?

Fantastic. Responsive engine with plenty of torque for overtaking and sailing effortlessly up hills. Really good road-holding, precise steering, stable in the corners, smooths out lumps and bumps in the road, very comfortable.

What's it like to park?

Easy. It has a tight turning circle for a car of its size. The tapering bodyshell takes a moment to get used to but once you know where the corners are it's great,.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Nothing major – remote unlocking doesn't work but still locks fine. Turbo unit had to be replaced before I took delivery,.

What's most practical about your car?

Really easy to drive and surprisingly manoeuvrable for a car of its size.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Probably the trip computer, because I'm really pedantic about maximising fuel economy.