Is there a buyer's guide anywhere for the LCR?

[Mark300zx]

Or anything to look out for in particular?

 

[Pabs]

Hi mate, i know nobody's answered - your best bet is the SCN search button - it's amazing at finding all of your answers

 

[Mark300zx]

Hi mate, i know nobody's answered - your best bet is the SCN search button - it's amazing at finding all of your answers

Tried that seems that no guide is apparent?

Found some small faults with the cars but nothing to really shout about!

 

[Pabs]

it's all you can expect mate - use words like "common problems" and such to give you an idea.
SEAT's are great cars in general - nothing MAJOR to report, unlike Alfa's

 

[6th.replicant]

Here's a checklist compiled from various posts on this site:

LCR/Leon specific:

Uneven tick-over? Flat spots at 2,500-3,000rpm?

Is the MAF clean?

Engine code on a 225 should be BAM..., for 210s its AMK... Engine code can be found on front offside edge of the engine.

Can you check under the car? Is the under-tray still in place (these often get damaged / torn off - £100-ish to replace)? Is the splitter present (if not, it's £25-ish at SEAT stealers & 'clip-on' fixing)? Check exhaust brackets are fully intact.

Boot lock work OK? (Simple/cheap fix.)

Evidence of water ingress in boot, under driver's/passenger's floor mats? (Simple/cheap fix.)

Check the rear wiper washer works fine and is not leaking into the boot. (Simple/cheap fix.)

Switch on the aircon and select 'low' for temperature. The radiator fans should come on but at a slow speed when using aircon. If the fans come on fast and loud then on / off then the fan motor resistors have gone.

Do the mirrors fold-in via the adjustment knob (turn to 6 o'clock position). Do they open ok when back to 12 o'clock position?

Does the horn work correctly? If its tone is merely a feeble 'peep', then it's a front-bumper-off job to clean, reconnect & reposition (facing rearward) horn.

Does the car have a pukka FULL SERVICE HISTORY (aka FSH)? If not, walk way! Ask the owner to take you for a brief drive when the engine is cold; if he/she then thrashes it from cold - walk away! (LCRs are generally robust & well-built, but can be pricey in the long-run if they've not been maintained or driven correctly.)


General used-car checks:

If car is over 5 years old or accumulated 60k miles, it should have had/needs a cambelt change (also change water-pump to brass impeller on VAG 1.8Ts).

Brake pads - much left on them? Discs ok?

When warmed up, put in 6th at 30mph and put your foot down to check for clutch wear.

Gears engage correctly when driving in a spirited fashion (1st and 2nd especially)?

Check for play in steering. Car brakes in straight line / drives in straight line.

Is tyre-wear even? Tyre condition? Are all 4 tyres the same manufacturer/type?

Body alignment, dents, scratches etc. Crouch at rear & front of car & look along sides.

Any rattles (interior & exterior)?

Check all electrics, windows etc.

Fully open and close all the windows and check for any nasty cracking/twanging noises - the cables can snap and unravel inside resulting in the glass falling inside the door. Check that central locking works on all doors. Both not massively expensive to fix but require stripping down the door and are a bit of a PITA.

Front light adjustment etc.

Scroll through trip computer, you may be able to see how its been driven... (mpg etc)

Check the CD changer works. Check all the speakers work.

Check engine temp doesn't go over 90C.

Engine bay: fluid levels; 'mayo' on inside of oil cap; check dip-stick - is oil level low; is oil old (black & treacle-like)?

Attn mods: Perhaps it might be useful if this list was granted 'sticky' status?

 

[Pabs]

quite a useful list... although most of it is stuff you'd check on ANY car.. not just an LCR.

 

[6th.replicant]

quite a useful list... although most of it is stuff you'd check on ANY car.. not just an LCR.

Indeed, hence edit.