Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 TDI, 184 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch Research | €406 | €9,200 | 168 | Diesel | CUP, DJG | Automatic (dual-clutch) (6) | 2013–2016 |
| 2.0 TDI, 184 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research | €436 | €9,200 | 168 | Diesel | DJG | Automatic (dual-clutch) (6) | 2014–2016 |
| 2.0 TDI, 150 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €384 | €8,300 | 158 | Diesel | CRM, DFF, DFG | Manual (6) | 2012–2016 |
| 2.0 TDI, 150 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research | €402 | €8,300 | 158 | Diesel | DFG | Manual (6) | 2014–2016 |
| 1.4 TSI, 125 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €384 | €8,900 | 114 | Petrol | CZC | Manual (6) | 2014–2016 |
| 1.8 TSI, 180 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research | €444 | €9,990 | 106 | Petrol | CJS | Automatic (dual-clutch) (6) | 2014–2016 |
| 1.8 TSI, 180 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research | €415 | €9,990 | 106 | Petrol | CJS | Automatic (dual-clutch) (7) | 2012–2016 |
| 1.6 TDI, 105 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €361 | €5,890 | 92 | Diesel | CLH | Manual (6) | 2012–2015 |
| 1.6 TDI, 105 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research | €415 | €5,890 | 92 | Diesel | CLH | Manual (6) | 2014–2015 |
| 1.4 TSI, 150 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €376 | €9,750 | 89 | Petrol | CZE | Manual (6) | 2014–2016 |
| 1.6 TDI, 110 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €354 | €6,400 | 74 | Diesel | DBK | Manual (5) | 2015–2016 |
| 1.6 TDI, 110 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €367 | €6,400 | 74 | Diesel | CXX, DBK | Manual (6) | 2013–2016 |
| 1.6 TDI, 110 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research | €421 | €6,400 | 74 | Diesel | CXX | Manual (6) | 2014–2016 |
| 2.0 TDI, 184 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €392 | €8,990 | 70 | Diesel | CUP, DJG | Manual (6) | 2012–2016 |
| 2.0 TDI, 150 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch Research | €400 | €8,650 | 67 | Diesel | CRM, DFF, DFG | Automatic (dual-clutch) (6) | 2012–2016 |
| 1.2 TSI, 110 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €376 | €7,790 | 66 | Petrol | CYV | Manual (6) | 2014–2016 |
| 1.8 TSI, 180 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €421 | €9,800 | 65 | Petrol | CJS | Manual (6) | 2012–2016 |
| 1.2 TSI, 105 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €375 | €6,000 | 62 | Petrol | CJZ | Manual (6) | 2012–2014 |
| 1.4 TSI, 122 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €386 | €6,990 | 62 | Petrol | CXS | Manual (6) | 2012–2014 |
| 1.4 TSI, 140 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €388 | €7,990 | 58 | Petrol | CHP | Manual (6) | 2012–2014 |
Show all 20 variants
At a glance
- Years: built 2012 to 2020, including the facelift. The airbag recall covers 2012 to 2017 builds.
- Main issues: judder from the 7-speed dry DSG (DQ200), EGR and DPF faults on the diesels, and coolant leaks on the 1.4 and 1.5 TSI.
- Recalls: an airbag recall (69EC) and a 1.2 TSI camshaft adjuster recall (15H1). Check both by VIN with a SEAT dealer.
- Reliability: 3/5, because the DQ200 repairs are costly and the diesels need regular care.
- DIY: 2/5, because the gearbox job needs a lift, and the cooling test and gearbox setup need workshop tools.
- Prefer: a car with a VIN recall check done and a clean cooling test. Avoid: a DQ200 car that judders or has gearbox faults stored.
Engines and gearboxes
- EA211 1.2 TSI (petrol): 2014 and 2015 cars had a camshaft adjuster recall. See the EA211 TSI guide and the 1.5 TSI evo guide.
- EA211 1.4 and 1.5 TSI (petrol): coolant regulator housing leaks. See the EA211 TSI guide and the 1.5 TSI evo guide.
- EA888 1.8 and 2.0 TSI (petrol): fitted to the 1.8 TSI and the Cupra. No known fault specific to the Leon.
- EA288 1.6 and 2.0 TDI (diesel): EGR and DPF faults, see the known issues.
- Manual: the 1.5 TSI can judder in first gear when cold.
- DQ200 dry 7-speed DSG: judder and mechatronic faults. Read the DQ200 guide before you buy.
- DQ250 6-speed wet DSG: oil change every 60,000 km.
- DQ381 7-speed wet DSG: oil change every 60,000 to 120,000 km.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver airbag recall (69EC) | Leon built 2012 to 2017 | Not applicable (recall) | No confirmed price |
| DQ200 dry DSG judder and mechatronic faults | 7-speed dry DSG (DQ200) | Not stated | 500 to 1,100 EUR for a clutch set (Germany, year not stated) |
| EA211 coolant regulator housing leak | 1.4 and 1.5 TSI (EA211) | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| EA288 EGR valve and cooler coking and leaks | 1.6 and 2.0 TDI (EA288) | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| EA288 DPF clogging on short trips | 1.6 and 2.0 TDI (EA288) | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Camshaft adjuster recall (15H1) | 1.2 TSI, model years 2014 and 2015 | Not applicable (recall) | Free (recall, Austria, 2019) |
| Cold judder in first gear (manual) | 1.5 TSI with manual gearbox | Not stated | No confirmed price |
Before you buy
- DQ200 gearbox. Road-test the car from cold and ask for a scanner read of the gearbox fault memory. The garage check costs 60 to 110 EUR (Germany, year not stated) and is credited against a repair. Bad result: judder when pulling away, a delay before the car moves off, or stored gearbox faults. A clutch set costs 500 to 1,100 EUR (Germany, year not stated).
- Airbag recall (69EC). Give the VIN to a SEAT dealer. Bad result: the recall is still open. Built 15 June 2012 to 6 September 2017.
- Cooling pressure test (EA211 1.4 and 1.5 TSI). Ask a garage for a cooling system pressure test. Bad result: the pressure drops, or the coolant level keeps falling.
- EGR valve and cooler (EA288). Ask a garage to read the EGR values with a VW diagnostic tool. Bad result: stored EGR faults, limp mode on the test drive, or coolant loss.
- DPF (EA288). Ask a garage to read how full the particulate filter is. Bad result: a filter close to full, a DPF warning light, or a car used only for short trips.
- Camshaft recall (15H1). Give the VIN to a SEAT dealer. Bad result: the camshaft adjuster has not been replaced on a 2014 or 2015 1.2 TSI.
- 1.5 TSI judder (manual). Pull away from cold in first gear at low speed. Bad result: judder that comes back after a software update. Ask for the software update record.
Running costs
| Operational | €160 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €103 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €121 |
| Total per month | €384 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €61 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 1,579
- 25th percentile
- €6,950
- Median price
- €8,880
- 75th percentile
- €11,000
- Median mileage
- 153,214 km
- Median first registration
- 2015
- Dealer share
- 48.3%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €11,549
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
Driver airbag recall (69EC)
The driver airbag inflator propellant can degrade over time. If the airbag fires, metal fragments can injure the occupants. The recall covers Leons built from 15 June 2012 to 6 September 2017. The driver airbag is replaced. Check the VIN with a SEAT dealer.
Sources: EU Safety Gate notice, Gebrauchtwagenberater, service4service
DQ200 dry DSG judder and mechatronic faults
The dry 7-speed DSG (DQ200) judders when pulling away and can lose odd gears. The common cause is the mechatronic unit (the gearbox control unit). Worn clutch discs are the other cause. The mechatronic housing can crack around the pressure accumulator. Oil then leaks inside, and the pump runs until it fails. The gearbox then goes into limp mode. Worn discs are replaced and the gearbox is set up again with a workshop tool. A clutch set costs 500 to 1,100 EUR at a workshop (Germany, year not stated). For the full gearbox story, read the DQ200 guide.
Sources: Mech-tronic, KFZ Dietrich, WHEELSTREET, CarWiki clutch
EA211 coolant regulator housing leak
The plastic coolant regulator housing on the 1.4 and 1.5 TSI cracks from heat cycling. Coolant is lost slowly, so the first sign is a falling level. A neglected leak can damage the head gasket. A cooling system pressure test finds the leak.
Sources: KFZ Dietrich, SEAT Cupra forum, 1.4 TSI thermostat thread
EA288 EGR valve and cooler coking and leaks
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve and cooler feed exhaust gas back into the engine. Soot and oil mist build up in both. The valve then sticks, which causes limp mode and lost power. Short trips make it worse. The cooler can also crack and leak coolant, so a 2.0 TDI that loses coolant needs the EGR cooler checked first. A diagnostic read of the EGR values shows the problem.
Sources: KFZ Dietrich EA288, CarWiki EA288, Gebrauchtwagenberater, Motor-Talk, 2.0 TDI coolant loss
EA288 DPF clogging on short trips
The diesel particulate filter (DPF) traps soot. On short trips it does not get hot enough to clean itself, so the soot load rises. When the filter gets too full, the car needs a forced cleaning at a workshop, and a full filter sets a fault. A diagnostic read shows how full the filter is. Longer motorway drives now and then let it clean itself.
Sources: KFZ Dietrich EA288, CarWiki EA288, Gebrauchtwagenberater, SEAT Cupra forum, DPF thread
Camshaft adjuster recall (15H1)
On the 1.2 TSI, the camshaft adjuster pulley can break, or its bolts can loosen. Engine oil then leaks out, which is a risk to nearby traffic. The recall covers 1.2 TSI Leons of model years 2014 and 2015. A workshop replaces the camshaft adjuster free of charge. Check the VIN with a SEAT dealer.
Sources: EU Safety Gate, 15H1, ÖAMTC, car-recalls.eu
Cold judder in first gear (manual)
The 1.5 TSI with a manual gearbox can judder in first gear and at very low speed, especially after a cold start. An engine software update usually fixes it.
Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, SEAT Cupra forum, 1.5 TSI EVO thread
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years or build range | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU (Safety Gate) | 69EC | Built 15 June 2012 to 6 September 2017 | Driver airbag replaced; check the VIN with a SEAT dealer |
| EU (Safety Gate); Austria (ÖAMTC) | 15H1 | Model years 2014 and 2015, 1.2 TSI | Camshaft adjuster replaced free at a workshop (Austria, 2019); check the VIN with a SEAT dealer |
| Austria (ÖAMTC) | Not given | Leon (5F) and Ateca, model years 2019 and 2020 | Injection valves replaced at a workshop |
Maintenance
- Wet DSG oil: change the DQ250 oil every 60,000 km. The DQ381 interval is 60,000 to 120,000 km.
- Diesel driving: take longer trips now and then, so the DPF can regenerate. Short trips load the DPF and the EGR system.
- Engine software: ask whether the engine software has been updated. A software update usually fixes the 1.5 TSI judder.
Sources: KFZ Dietrich, Gebrauchtwagenberater, CarWiki EA288
Sources
English
- Mech-tronic, DQ200 article
- EU Safety Gate notice, 69EC
- EU Safety Gate notice, 15H1
- service4service, airbag report
- SEAT Cupra forum, 1.4 TSI thermostat thread
- SEAT Cupra forum, 1.5 TSI EVO thread
- SEAT Cupra forum, DPF thread
German
- KFZ Dietrich, typical Leon problems
- KFZ Dietrich, EA288 workshop experience
- Gebrauchtwagenberater, Leon III problems
- CarWiki, Leon clutch
- CarWiki, VW EA288 engine
- ÖAMTC, camshaft adjuster recall
- Motor-Talk, 2.0 TDI coolant loss
- ÖAMTC, injection valve recall