Maybe i should have listened to my gut instinct that an 80,000 mile car would be trouble. When the guy told me that he had to nip out to tesco I assumed he was telling the truth. I now wonder if he went to tesco's petrol station to jet wash under the bonnet.
I've discovered an oil leak. 2007 1.4 Sporting, with a dribble of oil running down the timing belt cover, and appears to be manifesting from under the front engine mounting.
Any ideas before I start stripping it down ?

Could be camshaft oil seal maybe. Must be coming from under the cover if it's around that side of the engine. Take the top plastic timing belt cover off and have a better look. Make sure you aint spilt any oil when topping up also. Could run under the top engine cover also?

get some pictures also 8v or 16v 1.4 engine?

No pictures just yet and the daughter has gone out in it. I think it's a 16v. I'm going to jet was it at the weekend and whip the top timing cover off. Hopefully I can fix it cheaply.

Make sure not cam cover gasket.

If it's a 1.4 Sporting then it's 16v. Starjet engine.

Thanks for this.

Am i right in now guessing, that it's a twin cam and has 2 oil seals ?

I think it only has 1 cam?

Going to drop the timing covers off on Sturday and see if I can see where it's coming from.
If my daughter will stay home long enough that is.

I know it has a variable camshaft pulley under there which must have to come off to do the seal. Not sure about what special gear would be needed if it was the seal. If it's the seal and the belt and pulley need to come off not sure on timing it all back up etc. The camshaft pulley must float about I suppose. Only guessing tho really.