..looks just like mine did two days ago. Yes, I suffered the ubiquitous coilpack failure. The car is an August 2001 model.
It was annoying but fixed same day under warranty at Bournemouth SEAT who were fantastic (I didn't buy the car there). In fact they replaced all four coils with no hassle and ferried me to and from the station to get to work etc.. Really good service.
So if your 20Vt engine fails in this manner, make sure that your SEAT garage replaces all 4 coils so you don't suffer multiple inconvenience. They will do it. Same should apply to A3's, Golf's, Passats, Toledos, Bora's, Superb's etc...........
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There were alot of reports about coil packs failing and only the failed one being replaced (leaving the rest to fail at time points B, C and D in the future) much to the chagrin of the owners! Reason was a severe shortage of these items, and if VAG had replaced all 4 in the first cars to go, they would have run out very quickly, leaving the subsequent the owners with failed packs rather stuck! Bit of a cock up, really, but not exactly unusual in the automotive industry.
Happily, it seems that the shortage has been addressed now (as Jase had all 4 done at once), and all new cars off the line have non-failing packs fitted (I hope)...
PS I do love that little tab that comes through the grill of Leons when you pop the bonnet, saves you fishing for the safety catch release (you just pull it and up it goes!) :o) Loads of other cars probably have this, but I like it anyway.
--
Dr Alex Mears
Seat Leon Cupra
If you are in a hole stop digging...unless
you are a miner.
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I'm worried about my May 2001 Ibiza Cupra, I asked the dealer about the coils and he says it won't have the duff ones in it, but as far as I can tell it's the right sort of age to have the dodgy parts fitted.
I've not had any problems up to now in 30000 miles (some of that pretty hard driving), but I don't like the thought of it dying on me one day (especially out of warranty).
Is there any way I can verify myself whether I'm likely to suffer a failure one day?
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Actually that Leon 20VT never had any problems at all. It was built before the coils went dodgy. But I needed a "been there with the bonnet up" photo to kick off the story. (SEAT was 2nd to Skoda in the Reliabilty Index.) HJ
Does that mean my Ibiza Cupra (May '01) should be OK too?
It's a fantastic little car and I've decided to keep it until it falls apart (which going off the build quality should be a long way off), but this whole coil pack thing is a bit like the Sword of Damocles.
My experiences overall with the car have been hugely positive, makes me wonder why people pay so much more to get themselves a VW or Audi badge. (Plus the SEATs look a lot better in my opinion, and they seem to be set up for people who like a bit more fun from their driving.)
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CAZO'T -I think cars affected were built between (approximately) August 2001 and October 2002. So you should be OK. 30K miles and nearly 2.5yrs is a good sign.
As an Aug 01 vehicle, my car must have been one of the first affected I guess. At least my failure occurred in the warranty period so I was very well looked after and hopefully thats the end of it.
Even allowing for the coils problem, I'd still recommend a Leon Cupra as a fun car. You get a lot of fun motoring for your money
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When my Leon Cupra suffered a coil pack failure a few weeks ago I was refused replacement of all 4 - only the failed one was swopped. SEAT policy, apparently.
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I understand that some dealers will do all four and others just the one. I think as long as they will get paid for the work from the warranty company, they'll do all four. If you have a look at www.seatcupra.net you'll see lots of discussion about peoples coil problems and this includes lots of examples of people, like me, who have had all four replaced without hassle. You should expect this level of service too I think.
As I said, if you make a stand and back it up with examples, you should be able to get the lot replaced when it happens to you. SEAT customer assistance is 0500 222222 and they are helpful.
I really don't see why customers who have paid thousands of pounds for their cars should be expected to suffer up to 4 individual failures in order to get the damn things replaced. Its not on.
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