2009 leon 1.4 tsi - tell me why not
2009 leon 1.4 tsi - tell me why not
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Discussion

cvega

Original Poster:

463 posts

176 months

Thursday 4th September
quotequote all
I've found this local Leon 1.4 TSI, with <70k miles on it, sold on by local mechanic who bought it from the first owner.
Looks fine, drives fine, the MOT history doesn't have any nightmares on it, the only thing is slightly spotty history - not many stamps in the book.
Has decent (and matching) tyres, nothing obviously wrong by the first look. All buttons seem to work etc. Steering wheel slightly to the left when driving straight is literally the worst thing i can think if that i've noticed.

He's agreed to slap a new MOT on it.

What could go wrong? what else should I check?

wyson

3,754 posts

121 months

Thursday 4th September
quotequote all
Small capacity turbo at 70k miles with a spotty service history, 16 years old. What could possibly go wrong. confused

cvega

Original Poster:

463 posts

176 months

Thursday 4th September
quotequote all
wyson said:
Small capacity turbo at 70k miles with a spotty service history, 16 years old. What could possibly go wrong. confused
yeah that's the question !
it is the chain version I'm told

wyson

3,754 posts

121 months

Thursday 4th September
quotequote all
Early 1.4 tsi’s had a history of piston ring failure.

Turbo’s are very sensitive to oil quality.

cvega

Original Poster:

463 posts

176 months

Friday 5th September
quotequote all
thanks!

FWIW, this is not the twincharged one, but it is a chain driven one, with 65k miles.

wyson

3,754 posts

121 months

Friday 5th September
quotequote all
Well as long as you are expecting significant bills.

Car like that would be beyond my risk tolerance.

catso

15,280 posts

284 months

Friday 5th September
quotequote all
Don't know about the rest of the car but my Son has a 2011, Golf 1.4 tsi which, I believe has the same engine? It's done 80-odd thousand miles and, it's generally been very good, a few minor issues but nothing engine-wise.

Corrosion is starting to take hold now though.

steedy27

668 posts

207 months

Wednesday
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I think the 1.4 turbo engine's fitted to the MK3 Leon's didn't have many issues. They had a 125hp and 150hp, the 150 was the newer engine I believe as it had cylinder on demand and a bigger turbo. I had a 3 door 125hp for 2 years and it was fine, it felt faster than 125hp.