New Forest
New Forest, located in the southern part of England, is a picturesque area known for its stunning landscapes and rich wildlife. With a population of approximately 180,000, it is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers.
The most popular cars in New Forest
The most popular car among New Forest residents is the Ford Focus, known for its reliability and practicality. Following closely behind are the Volkswagen Golf, Vauxhall Corsa, BMW 3 Series, and the Audi A3.
In addition to these popular choices, it is worth mentioning that New Forest residents also show a preference for eco-friendly vehicles, such as hybrid and electric cars. This aligns with the area's commitment to sustainability and preserving its natural beauty.
Vehicle numbers in New Forest
New Forest boasts a significant number of licensed vehicles, with approximately 120,000 cars registered in the area. This reflects the reliance on private transportation and the need for reliable car maintenance services to keep these vehicles running smoothly.
Postcodes and suburbs in New Forest
New Forest is divided into several postcodes and suburbs, each with its own unique charm. Some notable areas include SO42 (Brockenhurst, Beaulieu, and Lyndhurst), SO43 (Lymington, Milford on Sea, and Pennington), SO45 (Hythe, Dibden Purlieu, and Marchwood), and BH25 (New Milton, Barton on Sea, and Highcliffe). These diverse neighborhoods contribute to the vibrant automotive landscape of New Forest.
As a car maintenance platform catering to the needs of New Forest residents, we understand the importance of providing top-quality services to keep their beloved vehicles in optimal condition. Whether it's regular servicing, MOT testing, or repairs, our platform connects car owners with trusted professionals who are well-versed in the specific requirements of New Forest's automotive landscape.
Seat
Seat S.A. is a Spanish automobile manufacturer, founded over 65 years ago in 1950.
In 1986, the German Volkswagen Group bought Seat from the Spanish government to become the owner and operator of this established marque.
How popular is Seat in the United Kingdom?
Since the VW takeover, the number of Seat cars on the roads in the UK has grown steadily to over 500k.
Marketing similar cars to different markets
Although the structure and engineering behind all of the Volkswagen Group’s cars are closely related, based on very similar systems and practices, VW has aimed Seat at a market that offers something a bit different to Audi and VW.
Seat: Affordable, youthful versions of established models
Given that the brands under the VW umbrella (not forgetting Skoda too) all carry similar architecture, what sets the Seat models apart from their counterparts is their character, price-point and their ability to deliver slightly sportier handling due to their tuning. When you think of Seat, you think fun. VW: solid. Skoda: value. And Audi is for the executive.
So despite all being very similar machines under the hood, VW has created each of them to sit in quite different marketplaces. The Leon, for example, will appeal to a different type of driver to the Octavia or the Golf (and the Audi A3) despite being almost the same car. The same goes for the Ibiza, the Arona and the rest of the models in the Seat range.
Seat’s reliability and reputation
Seat ranked 10th place out of 30 car brands in the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2018.
Pitted against the other makes under the VW umbrella, it was Skoda who ranked highest in 7th place, with VW and Audi performing less admirably at 17th and 20th respectively.
Recent Seat recalls and reliability issues
Various recalls have been made on Seat models throughout their motoring history. The following are a list of the most recent in the UK and Europe.
26/04/2019 – Seat Ateca (2018)
The locking pin for securing the head restraints may be missing from the central rear seat
13/04/2019 – Seat Ibiza and Seat Arona (2016–2018)
Due to an incorrect setting, the handbrake may have to travel further to ensure immobilisation
17/02/2019 – Seat Ateca (2018)
The fitting of the headrest in the rear seat’s backrest may be defective
24/08/2018 – Seat Ibiza TGI-CNG (2018)
The nuts of the gas pipes may not be sufficiently tightened, causing a leak of gas
27/07/2018 – Seat Ibiza and Seat Arona (2018)
The seat-belt buckles may open unexpectedly
23/03/2018 – Seat Alhambra, Seat Ibiza, Seat Leon and Seat Altea (2011)
The spring on the starter relay may remain in the wrong position
04/03/2018 – Seat Alhambra (2016–2017)
The passenger airbag module may have been produced with an inadequate welded connection
04/03/2018 – Seat Leon (2014–2015)
In the event of deployment of the passenger airbag, the casing of the gas generator could be damaged
All recall information sourced from gov.co.uk data.