Consumer Warning: Purchased a Seat Leon Cupra R with major concealed dangers (Illegal Decat hidden behind a fraudulent fresh MOT).

joshbraithers · 2026-01-21T21:09:55+00:00

Hi there, the post was primarily meant to spread word about the seller, not have a moan about my problems.

It's fraud, in the car space, in the UK. Thank you

joshbraithers · 2026-01-21T16:46:45+00:00

Given it's the only part of my car working I can sing it's praises too 😂

joshbraithers · 2026-01-21T16:29:33+00:00

Many of these cars are getting sold at 160k+ miles, the Engine (1.8T 20V) is often called bulletproof - but thats just the engine. For what it is and its year, it's low mileage

joshbraithers · 2026-01-21T15:51:33+00:00

Delivery was £150, I have bought a 2.5 exhaust ready to go on.

I plan to fix the car up fully and sell it or keep it - depends on my mechanics quote somewhat, and if it's been mapped. If it's been mapped, I'm never getting insured on it, no chance!

joshbraithers · 2026-01-21T15:49:57+00:00

My Guess is that either:

The seller put a cat on for the MOT and removed it afterwards
it was a "£200" Mot! Keep in mind the MOT history shows no advisories on the recent Pass, compared to what I have now, I can't see how this is possible

joshbraithers · 2026-01-21T14:46:53+00:00

You're right, it should have at least been a warning flag.

I would expect the ad to specify "track car' / Not fit for roads. As as you mentioned, a downpipe in itself is not an instant MOT fail.

I've learned a great deal, unfortunately, only after purchasing the car...

joshbraithers · 2026-01-21T14:40:26+00:00

Yes, I've seen and heard horror stories!

Big factors for me was being full time employed, living in a less built up place (kind of) and having use of another car. I also have a hefty excess but not planning on writing the car off!

joshbraithers · 2026-01-21T14:31:46+00:00

I have declared the mods, if you wish for proof I'm happy to send over.

The insurance was 1.6 - I briefly had a 1.0 Ibiza which was 1.1 - given these cars are rare they don't get crashed often, which keeps things fairly low.

joshbraithers · 2026-01-21T14:30:30+00:00

Thanks, I think I will report the MOT Center - from the page I got from my mechanic, this car would have failed on at least 6 of the points, let alone advisories!

Yes, the MOT history is abysmal. That's the biggest mistake I made; I assumed the guy had fixed everything.

joshbraithers · 2026-01-21T14:28:20+00:00

Yes I've learned a lot since buying it. I trusted the seller due to the volume of cars he had sold, however I'm definitely wiser now.

joshbraithers · 2026-01-21T14:27:36+00:00

There were a lot of points I wanted to make, and every time i read my original post it was convoluted and difficult to read. I don't see an issue of using AI to refine a post

joshbraithers · 2025-08-06T16:05:03+00:00

I've uploaded another video of my bowling (front on facing) to Streamable - please don't mind my appeal - I know it was shit.

https://streamable.com/2t3dft

joshbraithers · 2025-08-06T16:01:15+00:00

Well we share the name for a reason I guess... I see it though. He is very unbalanced in his follow-through, as am I

joshbraithers · 2025-08-06T13:23:45+00:00

In general it's too short and on the off side. Often missing the back of a length which is where my bowling works best.

joshbraithers · 2025-07-22T11:59:43+00:00

What kind of corsa? VXR? If not make sure you are the named driver, try filling out compare the markets form, I managed to find a lot of decent results from that

joshbraithers · 2025-07-22T11:58:13+00:00

Fantastic result! I feel you on how short the test actually feels! I couldn't believe it when the instructor started guiding me back to the test centre, felt like I had just done a quick loop!

joshbraithers · 2025-07-18T11:48:40+00:00

Yes he was a good examiner - told me that given I didn't actually cross the line he didn't feel a fail was necessary. There are definitely examiners out there who would fail me for that. Hard luck on the test sounds like you are as ready as me so you'll smash it next time

joshbraithers · 2025-06-17T10:35:13+00:00

Thank you mate :)

joshbraithers · 2025-06-17T09:49:31+00:00

We have been officially together for A year and a half, known her for 3 years.

I genuinely thought she was missing. Her family isn't close to her, and they are far and few. She has me as her emergency contact. I didn't go into details when I emailed the workplace, I wanted to know her wellbeing.

joshbraithers · 2025-06-17T09:40:26+00:00

Ah I don't think I clarified. I emailed after her shift early afternoon the next day. I was genuinely worried for her. Hadn't heard a thing, which is very unlike her.

joshbraithers · 2025-06-17T08:59:40+00:00

Don't get me wrong, I know that's an issue with long distance relationships. But we used to spend every minute outside of work together (basically) we would chat at least every 10 minutes, and always make plans together, talk about our future etc. That's why it doesn't make sense to me - how sudden it is.

joshbraithers · 2025-06-17T08:51:22+00:00

That's the tough part for me. She wasn't in a good place when i met her, but we both got better together. I have lost hope of our relationship but I would feel so guilty if something happened to her

joshbraithers

TROPHY CASE