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SEAT Alhambra reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 219,823 MOT tests of cars first registered 2001–2020.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
71.7%pass first time
+1.1 ptsvs typical car
Beats 57%of cars
219,823MOT tests

Verdict

The SEAT Alhambra passes its MOT first time on 71.7% of tests, 1.1 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (70.6%). That puts it ahead of 57% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2016 Alhambra does best (beats 69% of cars) and the 2017 worst (beats 63%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Diesel does best (beats 61%) and the 1.9 Diesel worst (beats 35%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, visibility, steering.

Watch these weak spots

Tyres1.3×as often as a typical car
Suspension arm bushes3.0×as often as a typical car
Tyre damage & cracking1.6×as often as a typical car
Component mounting prescribed areas3.0×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

40%50%60%70%80%90%3456789101112131415161718192081%82%78%74%64%56%48%47%48%
SEAT AlhambraTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2001
Beats 44%
2002
Beats 30%
2003
Beats 34%
2004
Beats 37%
2005
Beats 35%
2006
Beats 33%
2007
Beats 25%
2008
Beats 29%
2009
Beats 28%
2010
Beats 51%
2011
Beats 67%
2012
Beats 69%
2013
Beats 66%
2014
Beats 65%
2015
Beats 63%
2016
Beats 69%
2017
Beats 63%
2018
Beats 64%
2019
Beats 63%
2020
Beats 53%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2006–2020196,75674.7%Beats 61%B
1.9 Diesel2001–200623,06745.7%Beats 35%D

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 2.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 10.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 9.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 9.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 6.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 9.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+3.0 ptsTyres: 9.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.9 ptsBrakes: 6.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.2 ptsSuspension: 10.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−1.4 ptsExhaust: 2.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.5 ptsSuspension: 10.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 6.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 9.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 9.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 2.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 9.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+3.0 ptsTyres: 9.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.9 ptsBrakes: 6.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.2 ptsSuspension: 10.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−1.4 ptsExhaust: 2.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.5 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 9.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Suspension
10.3% vs 8.9%
Lights & electrics
9.2% vs 12.1%
Tyres
9.0% vs 7.1%
Brakes
6.1% vs 7.3%
Body & structure
4.0% vs 3.3%
Visibility
3.7% vs 4.9%
Emissions & leaks
2.8% vs 3.3%
Steering
1.4% vs 2.0%
Seat belts & airbags
1.4% vs 1.1%
Wheels
0.4% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Suspension arm bushes 3.0× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Tyre damage & cracking 1.6× typical
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k90%83%79%77%72%66%62%59%
SEAT AlhambraTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking5.9%3.6%1.6×
Suspension arm bushes3.5%1.2%3.0×
Tyre tread depth2.8%3.0%0.9×
Headlight aim2.7%3.4%0.8×
Sidelights2.6%2.8%0.9×
Windscreen wipers1.9%2.2%0.9×
Brake pads1.8%2.4%0.7×
Drive shaft (CV) joints1.7%1.3%1.2×
Coil springs1.5%2.2%0.7×
Handbrake performance1.4%1.5%0.9×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn51.2
A tyre cords visible or damaged35.5
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements28.2
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements26.9
A tyre seriously damaged23.9
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc21.2
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction20.0
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning19.1
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2020 SEAT Alhambra1 engine85.2% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,75485.2%Beats 53%C
2019 SEAT Alhambra1 engine84.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel12,21584.6%Beats 63%B
2018 SEAT Alhambra1 engine83.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel14,45883.1%Beats 64%B
2017 SEAT Alhambra1 engine81.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel40,57681.2%Beats 63%B
2016 SEAT Alhambra1 engine79.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel31,94679.6%Beats 69%B
2015 SEAT Alhambra1 engine76.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel19,41076.4%Beats 63%B
2014 SEAT Alhambra1 engine74.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel16,96474.1%Beats 65%B
2013 SEAT Alhambra1 engine71.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel14,08271.6%Beats 66%B
2012 SEAT Alhambra1 engine69.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel12,95069.4%Beats 69%B
2011 SEAT Alhambra1 engine66.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel10,83766.3%Beats 67%B
2010 SEAT Alhambra1 engine59.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel3,11059.0%Beats 51%C
2009 SEAT Alhambra1 engine51.0% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel3,23851.0%Beats 28%D
2008 SEAT Alhambra1 engine49.4% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel4,92549.4%Beats 29%D
2007 SEAT Alhambra1 engine46.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel4,86446.9%Beats 25%D
2006 SEAT Alhambra2 engines47.8% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel4,42748.1%Beats 34%D
1.9 Diesel1,00246.5%Beats 29%D
2005 SEAT Alhambra1 engine47.0% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel5,41247.0%Beats 35%D
2004 SEAT Alhambra1 engine46.3% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel7,50646.3%Beats 37%D
2003 SEAT Alhambra1 engine44.6% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel5,09444.6%Beats 34%D
2002 SEAT Alhambra1 engine42.7% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel2,83942.7%Beats 30%D
2001 SEAT Alhambra1 engine47.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel1,21447.6%Beats 44%C

FAQ

What is the SEAT Alhambra MOT pass rate?

71.7% of MOT tests on the SEAT Alhambra were passed first time, based on 219,823 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2001–2020. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 70.6% of the time.

Is the SEAT Alhambra reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 57% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which SEAT Alhambra year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2016 Alhambra does best for its age and mileage: it beats 69% of cars on UK roads. The 2017 does worst: it beats 63%.

Which SEAT Alhambra engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Diesel does best: it beats 61% of cars on UK roads. The 1.9 Diesel does worst: it beats 35%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the SEAT Alhambra?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, suspension arm bushes, tyre tread depth. Compared with similar cars, suspension arm bushes comes up 3.0× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.