I bought an older Seat diesel - Leon Mk 1 - when it was 7 years old and so far it has cost me thousands in repairs and replacements. The list of faults so far includes:

i) Alternator clutch pulley failed

ii) Clutch slipping (OK, a consumable)

iii) Peeling lacquer / paint on all 4 wheels

iv) Passenger door locking module failed - door remained locked.

v) Coolant gauge intermittently drops to zero. Coolant temp. sensor replaced to no avail.

vi) Various leaking pressure pipes between turbo and engine.

vii) Failed indicator bulb

viii) Water leaking through front door panel into footwell.

ix) Paint badly faded and laquer peeling on various body panels.

x) Smoking for few seconds on start-up. Possible valve stem / injector seal leakage.

In summary, check for:

- Leaks at pressure pipework unions between the turbo and engine. The joints are well-known for leaking and the pipes are expensive (£60+ for each section).

- Water leaks into the car through door panels. The inner metal door panels are sealed against the outers by foam, which breaks down and leaks. Best checked when the car has been in the rain.

- Cambelt - Check it has been done and the water pump has been changed at the same time to the later type with metal, not plastic, impeller.

- Check condition on paint on wheels.

- Don't buy a yellow one. Paint is well known for fading badly!

- Check for smoke on start-up (cold start only)

Or just buy a Skoda, as they seem to be more reliable than Seats!