Halfords and Seat isn’t matching shock absorber issue
Discussion
I have an seat leon FR 66 plate. The halfords MOT says theres a light mist on their, but two weeks later I did a service with seat, they said it’s leaking.
I didn’t even drive the car much that month as I wasn’t here.
Here are two problem:
1. I noticed this issue when I got hit in the rear by a speeding van. I was parked at a red light. I told the insurance company I think something was leaking, they took the car are repaired the putter damage. They said they checked everything and it’s repaired.
2. Halford reported this issue within the month after the car hit. They said it’s a mist of oil. Seat 2 weeks later says it’s a leak. Is this normal?
What should I do is what I’m asking? Should I challenge the insurance? If that doesn’t work out, should I get them replaced?
I didn’t even drive the car much that month as I wasn’t here.
Here are two problem:
1. I noticed this issue when I got hit in the rear by a speeding van. I was parked at a red light. I told the insurance company I think something was leaking, they took the car are repaired the putter damage. They said they checked everything and it’s repaired.
2. Halford reported this issue within the month after the car hit. They said it’s a mist of oil. Seat 2 weeks later says it’s a leak. Is this normal?
What should I do is what I’m asking? Should I challenge the insurance? If that doesn’t work out, should I get them replaced?
Scrump said:
shalmaneser said:
One man's misting is another man's leaking.
Sounds like you need to replace the shocks. Shouldn't be too expensive, they're a wear item anyway. Make sure you replace both the shocks on the axle.
Unlikely to be caused by a collision.
Sounds like you need to replace the shocks. Shouldn't be too expensive, they're a wear item anyway. Make sure you replace both the shocks on the axle.
Unlikely to be caused by a collision.

Seat is charging 400 for both, but I called a local company who seems to be good charging only 200 for both.
I asked seat is it better to do with them, they said yes because their parts are genuine, and have no issue unlike other companies doing it. What do you guys recommend?
They said because I have a baby it’s not worth the risk.
This is lookers seat, not actual seat if that makes a difference.
n00bcar said:
Scrump said:
shalmaneser said:
One man's misting is another man's leaking.
Sounds like you need to replace the shocks. Shouldn't be too expensive, they're a wear item anyway. Make sure you replace both the shocks on the axle.
Unlikely to be caused by a collision.
Sounds like you need to replace the shocks. Shouldn't be too expensive, they're a wear item anyway. Make sure you replace both the shocks on the axle.
Unlikely to be caused by a collision.

Seat is charging 400 for both, but I called a local company who seems to be good charging only 200 for both.
I asked seat is it better to do with them, they said yes because their parts are genuine, and have no issue unlike other companies doing it. What do you guys recommend?
TBH I would rather buy a known good suspension brand than an oe item.
n00bcar said:
Thanks for the reply guys.
Seat is charging 400 for both, but I called a local company who seems to be good charging only 200 for both.
I asked seat is it better to do with them, they said yes because their parts are genuine, and have no issue unlike other companies doing it. What do you guys recommend?
They said because I have a baby it’s not worth the risk.
This is lookers seat, not actual seat if that makes a difference.
I'd recommend going with the independent for 200 especially because they said that their parts have no issues unlike the other companies.Seat is charging 400 for both, but I called a local company who seems to be good charging only 200 for both.
I asked seat is it better to do with them, they said yes because their parts are genuine, and have no issue unlike other companies doing it. What do you guys recommend?
They said because I have a baby it’s not worth the risk.
This is lookers seat, not actual seat if that makes a difference.
There's no risk to your baby getting your shocks replaced by an independent.
Go with the independent for half the price. If your current shocks are misting/leaking and you haven’t noticed anything in the ride then you will not notice the difference between OEM and aftermarket shocks. The new shocks from the indie will be better and safer than what you have on now.
If you want more reassurance then ask the Indie what brand of shock would they fit and post it here.
If you want more reassurance then ask the Indie what brand of shock would they fit and post it here.
n00bcar said:
They said because I have a baby it’s not worth the risk.
Wow....just wow.OE parts will tend to be better quality than aftermarket, there is no question of that.
But unless the parts supplied by the other garage are pure dung, they will be fine. But it is worth asking what brand they will be. Although they could probably buy OEM parts and fit cheaper than the dealer anyway simply through lower labour rates.
Your original rear dampers will be made by Sachs, they maybe specific to your "FR" model or just generic to the model range. There will be a PR number on your build sticker in the service book something like, 1JD, 0N1 and the part number for both Sachs OEM and Sachs after market can be found, some of them have an electronic control.
The other good make is Bilstein B4, they can be a little harsh depending on car.
I would avoid Euro car parts own brand such as Anschler (utter excrement and Starline)
The other good make is Bilstein B4, they can be a little harsh depending on car.
I would avoid Euro car parts own brand such as Anschler (utter excrement and Starline)
stevieturbo said:
n00bcar said:
They said because I have a baby it’s not worth the risk.
Wow....just wow.n00bcar said:
They said because I have a baby it’s not worth the risk.
Very much a "well they would say that, wouldn't they?"As others have said, a decent brand of shock absorber is absolutely as good as or better than the manufacturer part.
This is pretty much a bread and butter job for a mechanic, and £200 sounds fair.
stevieturbo said:
OE parts will tend to be better quality than aftermarket, there is no question of that.
It's quite possible that an aftermarket component could be the exact same part as OE.Aftermarket suppliers are not working to the same price constraints as OE, so they can often offer a better product.
Dave Brand said:
It's quite possible that an aftermarket component could be the exact same part as OE.
Aftermarket suppliers are not working to the same price constraints as OE, so they can often offer a better product.
Many will claim the same as OEM.....very very rarely ever is that the actual case.Aftermarket suppliers are not working to the same price constraints as OE, so they can often offer a better product.
Similar yes, claiming same specs....but that exact part....not so often unless it actually comes in OEM packaging with OEM part numbers.
And "better" can mean many things.....is it really better, or just different ?
stevieturbo said:
Many will claim the same as OEM.....very very rarely ever is that the actual case.
I see the opposite: Original fit parts tend to be relatively high specification with tight quality tolerances. Aftermarket parts are usually lower quality, even when they are nominally the same part number from the same supplier. And when they come from a different supplier there is often even more variation, especially when the supplier is trying to under cut the prices of the original manufacturer.GreenV8S said:
I see the opposite: Original fit parts tend to be relatively high specification with tight quality tolerances. Aftermarket parts are usually lower quality, even when they are nominally the same part number from the same supplier. And when they come from a different supplier there is often even more variation, especially when the supplier is trying to under cut the prices of the original manufacturer.
That is exactly what I am saying. OEM is better quality.And in the aftermarket, OEM spec, does not mean actual OEM spec and quality. They are just different.
stevieturbo said:
That is exactly what I am saying. OEM is better quality.
And in the aftermarket, OEM spec, does not mean actual OEM spec and quality. They are just different.
I think he’s suggesting replacement parts from the vehicle manufacturer might not be as good as those fitted when the vehicle was built.And in the aftermarket, OEM spec, does not mean actual OEM spec and quality. They are just different.
Sheepshanks said:
I think he’s suggesting replacement parts from the vehicle manufacturer might not be as good as those fitted when the vehicle was built.
replacement OEM parts, are not aftermarket "OEM spec" parts though.OEM parts are OEM parts. Nothing else is. ( although there are cases where some suppliers who do also supply to the OEM will supply actual OEM parts, with their correct part numbers. )
But even if it is from the same maker, same part, for same car....it will not be same as OEM.
Clutch kit for my old van was a prime example. LUK original fit from the factory, but when you buy the two kits, one a box set from LUK, and the other direct from main dealer....they are noticeably different parts inside.
stevieturbo said:
replacement OEM parts, are not aftermarket "OEM spec" parts though.
OEM parts are OEM parts. Nothing else is. ( although there are cases where some suppliers who do also supply to the OEM will supply actual OEM parts, with their correct part numbers. )
But even if it is from the same maker, same part, for same car....it will not be same as OEM.
Clutch kit for my old van was a prime example. LUK original fit from the factory, but when you buy the two kits, one a box set from LUK, and the other direct from main dealer....they are noticeably different parts inside.
OEM Means exactly that built the exact spec made by the manufacturer no matter if that good or badOEM parts are OEM parts. Nothing else is. ( although there are cases where some suppliers who do also supply to the OEM will supply actual OEM parts, with their correct part numbers. )
But even if it is from the same maker, same part, for same car....it will not be same as OEM.
Clutch kit for my old van was a prime example. LUK original fit from the factory, but when you buy the two kits, one a box set from LUK, and the other direct from main dealer....they are noticeably different parts inside.
It's built to a exact price point dosnt means it's the best quality
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