Dealership high(ish) miles & limited history 1.2 TSI - opinions sought!

[Raker]

Evening all!

I'm in the market for a Leon Estate and took a 1.2 TSI SE TECHNOLOGY out for a spin yesterday. It was in a dealership in South Wales - 95K on a 15 plate so fairly high on the miles. History up until 2018 at which point the owner had a family friend carry out the servicing. It's due a service now and would be done by dealership. It drove really well to be fair - few little marks that they'd sort out for me in on the price. Nice spec too - although no reversing camera which I'd have expected - not even a reversing sensor?

Am I right in thinking that these engines went across to a timing belt rather than the previous versions which had a chain?

It was up at £5400 which seems to be the right money based on the missing history and miles.

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Wastedagen]

I have the 1.2 TSI 2014 model w/tech pack but hatchback... To answer your question yes it has a timing belt. Just changed mine @108k.. Good thing is the water pump is on the opposite side of engine with the 2 thermostats so doesn't need changing at same time as its not disturbed while changing belt. Unless you want to of course.

The only I don't like about this engine is high oil consumption. Well as far as I'm concerned it is....

I too had to fit aftermarket reversing sensors. Wasn't difficult.

My tech pack came with sat nav(mk 1 version so can't updates maps without dealerships input, but I use tomtom app on my phone so don't care!), and DAB radio which is now next to useless as I fitted a rear dash cam which interferes with the DAB radio aerial. Again I use my phone via Bluetooth so don't care. The LED lights are excellent... Love them.

Otherwise it's a great car with really good mpg if not driven with a lead foot. Loads of room to work in and around engine and a pleasure to drive.
I've had mine since 41k and now on 130k and it's never let me down. So if you can handle the possibility of having to top up your oil 1 litre every 1300 miles then go for it..

 

[Raker]

I have the 1.2 TSI 2014 model w/tech pack but hatchback... To answer your question yes it has a timing belt. Just changed mine @108k.. Good thing is the water pump is on the opposite side of engine with the 2 thermostats so doesn't need changing at same time as its not disturbed while changing belt. Unless you want to of course.

The only I don't like about this engine is high oil consumption. Well as far as I'm concerned it is....

I too had to fit aftermarket reversing sensors. Wasn't difficult.

My tech pack came with sat nav(mk 1 version so can't updates maps without dealerships input, but I use tomtom app on my phone so don't care!), and DAB radio which is now next to useless as I fitted a rear dash cam which interferes with the DAB radio aerial. Again I use my phone via Bluetooth so don't care. The LED lights are excellent... Love them.

Otherwise it's a great car with really good mpg if not driven with a lead foot. Loads of room to work in and around engine and a pleasure to drive.
I've had mine since 41k and now on 130k and it's never let me down. So if you can handle the possibility of having to top up your oil 1 litre every 1300 miles then go for it..

Many thanks for this @Wastedagen. Really great helpful answer to be fair.

What was the timing belt interval? Seems to be a bit of a mixed bag of answers when I've looked depending on Skoda/VW/SEAT?

I seem to remember the oil consumption being high on a 2011 1.2 TSI Fabia Scout we had a while ago - I can live with 1/2 litre every once in a while - I'm not doing crazy miles. I suppose though, my worry here is that if it's done 96k across 6 years, has the previous owner been as vigilant. Hmmm... I've no idea what's been done since 2018 other than by word of mouth from the dealership.

I guess I could get the timing belt and water pump done as part of the service if I go for it - that would give me a clean slate to start from - year's warranty would also make things feel a little better too?

 

[Wastedagen]

I took mine to a VAG specialist and was told 120k or 5 years... Cost me £358 for timing belt and ancillary belt.

Good that you're aware of possible high oil consumption so there shouldn't be any surprises...

 

[rafletcher]

The oil consumption figure quoted is pretty much standard across the whole VAG range of cars. It doesnt mean it will use that much oil, it’s just arse covering. I had an A4 and an S3 with the EA888 engine, and neither used more than 1/2 litre per 10,000 miles, which was my annual service interval.

 

[Raker]

Thanks @rafletcher. Would the missing service history put you off buying from a dealership? I'm kind of torn....

 

[slartibartfast]

I have the 2016 hatchback 1.2 TSI SE Tech pack, and it's very good. Mine never uses a drop of oil, although it only has 20,000 miles on it so far, and I had to fit rear parking sensors myself, not to too difficult to do, but the LED lights are crap in my opinion, not as good as the non LED ones on my previous MK2 leon. I believe the LED lights on the facelift model are much better. As for the service history, I would want proof of regular oil and filter changes, but apart from that I would not worry.

 

[Mr Pig]

If the car looks and drives right I'd be inclined to forgive it a year or two of missing stamps. Check the oil etc and if the engine is quiet and smooth then cool.

I would use that as a haggling tool though. A car with missing history is not worth as much as one with a full book. Also, it should have had the timing belt done at five years and the brake fluid at three and it's due now.

Fitting reversing sensors is a DIY job. If you fit the Cobra/Vodaphone flush fit ones it looks factory and the bits will cost about £100.