# Which battery for the Seat Leon I (1M, 1999-2006)?

> Seat Leon I 1M battery: conventional, 74 Ah and 680 A, case size L3 (Varta E11). Battery for each engine and number plate check.

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- **Last update**: 2026-11-11

Leon (1M1)

[← All generations of the Seat Leon](https://bateriasonline.es/en/seat-leon-battery)
Car battery by model
There are no Start-Stop versions of the Seat Leon I (1M, 1999-2006), so it almost always takes a battery like the Varta E11: conventional, 74 Ah and 680 A, in case size L3. Other engines use the Varta D24 (conventional, 60 Ah and 540 A); the table shows the battery for each engine.
- 1999-2006
- 12 engines
- conventional
- Case L3

[Check with your number plate](https://bateriasonline.es/en/battery-finder-plate-or-vin) We show you only the batteries that fit your exact version.

## Recommended batteries for the Seat Leon I 1M

 For versions without Start-Stop
[Varta E11](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-e11)
conventional 74 Ah · 680 A (EN)
Case L3 · 278 × 175 × 190 mm · + right
Recommended for 3 of 12 engines
[See price and specs Varta E11 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-e11)
 For versions without Start-Stop
[Varta D24](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-d24)
conventional 60 Ah · 540 A (EN)
Case L2 · 242 × 175 × 190 mm · + right
Recommended for 8 of 12 engines
[See price and specs Varta D24 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-d24)
 Equivalent to the Varta E11
[Exide EA770](https://bateriasonline.es/en/exide-ea770)
conventional 77 Ah · 760 A (EN)
Case L3 · 278 × 175 × 190 mm · + right
Same dimensions and terminal layout, the same or higher capacity and the same or better technology
[See price and specs Exide EA770 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/exide-ea770)

## Seat Leon I 1M battery by engine

Each row groups the versions that share an engine. When an engine lists more than one battery, it is because the battery changes with the version or equipment: your number plate settles it.

| Engine | Power | Years | Fuel | Recommended battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 16VAHW, APE, AXP, BCA | 55 kW (75 hp) | 1999-2006 | Petrol | Varta C22 conventional · 52 Ah · 470 A · L1 · + right |
| 1.6AEH, AKL, BFQ | 74-75 kW (100-102 hp) | 1999-2006 | Petrol | Varta D24 conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 1.6 16 VAUS, AZD, BCB | 77 kW (105 hp) | 2000-2006 | Petrol | Varta D24 conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 1.8 20VAGN, APG | 92 kW (125 hp) | 1999-2006 | Petrol | Varta D24 conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 1.8 20V TAPP, AUQ | 132 kW (180 hp) | 1999-2006 | Petrol | Varta D24 conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 1.8 20V T 4AJQ, ARY | 132 kW (180 hp) | 1999-2006 | Petrol | Varta D24 conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 1.8 T Cupra RAMK, BAM | 154-165 kW (209-225 hp) | 2002-2006 | Petrol | Varta D24 conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 1.9 SDIAQM | 50 kW (68 hp) | 1999-2006 | Diesel | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 1.9 TDIAGR, AHF, ALH, ARL, ASV, ASZ… | 66-110 kW (90-150 hp) | 1999-2006 | Diesel | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 1.9 TDI SyncroARL | 110 kW (150 hp) | 2002-2006 | Diesel | Varta E11 conventional · 74 Ah · 680 A · L3 · + right |
| 2.8BDE | 150 kW (204 hp) | 2002-2004 | Petrol | Varta D24 conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |
| 2.8 Cupra 4AUE, BDE | 150 kW (204 hp) | 2001-2006 | Petrol | Varta D24 conventional · 60 Ah · 540 A · L2 · + right |

With Start-Stop: versions with automatic engine stop-start, or that leave the factory with an EFB or AGM battery. Ah = capacity; A = cold cranking current (EN standard); + right/+ left = side of the positive terminal. Under each engine you will find its engine codes, handy for identifying your version.

## What you should know about the Seat Leon I 1M

This page covers Leon (1M1): 12 engines in the table, petrol (9) and diesel (3). No version has factory Start-Stop, so they all take a conventional battery, from 52 to 74 Ah depending on the engine. The usual case size is L3 (278 × 175 × 190 mm).
- Model fact: the Seat Leon I 1M mainly uses case sizes L3 (278 × 175 × 190 mm), L2 (242 × 175 × 190 mm) and L1 (207 × 175 × 190 mm). A battery of a different size will not sit securely in the car’s battery tray.
- General tip: in a compact car that mixes town and open-road driving, the battery suffers most in winter and with lots of equipment switched on (heated rear window, heated seats). If cold starts become sluggish, have it checked before it leaves you stranded.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which battery does the Seat Leon I (1M, 1999-2006) take?

There are no Start-Stop versions of the Seat Leon I (1M, 1999-2006), so it almost always takes a battery like the Varta E11: conventional, 74 Ah and 680 A, in case size L3. Other engines use the Varta D24 (conventional, 60 Ah and 540 A); the table shows the battery for each engine.

### What size battery does the Seat Leon I take?

Depending on the engine, the Seat Leon I 1M uses these case sizes: L3 (278 × 175 × 190 mm), L2 (242 × 175 × 190 mm) and L1 (207 × 175 × 190 mm); dimensions are length × width × height. Also check that the positive terminal is on the same side as on your current battery.

### Does the Varta E11 fit the Seat Leon I 1M?

Yes, it is one of the recommended batteries for the Seat Leon I 1M with the 1.9 SDI, 1.9 TDI and 1.9 TDI Syncro engines (3 of the 12 engines in the table). For the others, check their row in the table or search by number plate.

### How do I find out exactly which battery my Seat Leon I takes?

Enter your number plate or chassis number (VIN) in our battery finder: it identifies the exact engine and shows you only the compatible batteries. You can also check the label on your current battery: capacity (Ah), cold cranking (A, EN standard) and technology (AGM, EFB or conventional).

## Other Seat Leon generations

- [ Seat Leon IV (KL) from 2019 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/seat-leon-battery#gen-seat-leon-4)
- [ Seat Leon III (5F) 2012-2020 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/seat-leon-3-5f-battery)
- [ Seat Leon II (1P) 2005-2013 ](https://bateriasonline.es/en/seat-leon-2-1p-battery)

## More information

- [Seat Leon battery: every generation](https://bateriasonline.es/en/seat-leon-battery)
- [Car battery sizes: L1-L6, LB1-LB5, B and D (Asian) cases](https://bateriasonline.es/en/car-battery-sizes-l-lb-b-d-cases)
- [Varta A7 (formerly E39): what changed and equivalents](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-a7-e39-agm-battery-equivalents)
- [Varta, Bosch, Exide and Tudor car battery equivalents table](https://bateriasonline.es/en/varta-bosch-exide-tudor-car-battery-equivalents)
- [Car batteries](https://bateriasonline.es/en/car-batteries)
- [L3 car batteries](https://bateriasonline.es/en/l3-car-batteries)
- [What battery does my car need? Guide by model](https://bateriasonline.es/en/car-battery-by-model)

Updated: 1 November 2026 · Source: battery application data by engine (KType TecDoc), the same data our number plate search uses, plus the datasheet of each battery.

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*bateriasonline.es — Batteries and accessories · 2026-11-11*
