SEAT Leon MkII Tow- Bar Problem
SEAT Leon Mk II rear bumper change.
Due to a rear-end collision, whilst travelling solo, our 11- plate SEAT Leon tow car was deemed a Total Loss. Our local SEAT Dealership sourced a replacement that was a 62-plate.
When I arranged for the local Witter Agent to fit the tow bar and basic 13-pin electrics he asked if the car had a ‘sports bumper’ fitted. As far as the SEAT Dealer and I were aware it was a standard SEAT Leon S Copa Ecomotive, so a fitting date was arranged.
On the due date the Witter Agent arrived at our home. He was concerned that when he entered the car’s Registration Number into the Witter database it did not return details of suitable tow bars.
The bumper was removed and the ‘appropriate SEAT Leon’ Witter tow bar fitted. It was then obvious that the ‘bumper cut’ dimensions on the fitting instructions would not give sufficient clearance. Reference to photographs of our 11-plate SEAT Leon showed that the bumper profile was different. The Witter Agent removed the tow bar and replaced the bumper free of charge. After conversation with his supplier he confirmed that he could not obtain a suitable ‘branded’ tow bar for our car.
Informing the SEAT Dealership of the problem prompted dialogue with SEAT UK to establish if a different bumper had been fitted to some SEAT Leon MkII models and if the SEAT tow bar would fit. It appears that some SEAT Leon MkII models had rear ‘sport bumpers' fitted and they ‘could see no reason’ why a SEAT tow bar could not be fitted.
The SEAT Dealer was aware that we intended to use our car for towing; they even had a rear number plate made up for the caravan. They agreed to supply and fit a SEAT Tow bar and 13-pin electrics, coded into the vehicle systems, for the same cost as the Witter.
Members considering buying a SEAT Leon MkII as a tow car should be aware that, if a ‘branded’ tow bar cannot be fitted, a SEAT Dealership fitted tow bar and 13 pin electrics will cost around DOUBLE.
We consider ourselves fortunate that the SEAT Dealership took ownership of the problem and provided a cost effective solution.