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SEAT Altea reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 157,636 MOT tests of cars first registered 2004–2015.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
59.7%pass first time
−0.1 ptsvs typical car
Beats 50%of cars
157,636MOT tests

Verdict

The SEAT Altea passes its MOT first time on 59.7% of tests, about the same as a typical car of the same age and mileage (59.8%). That puts it ahead of 50% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2008 Altea does best (beats 48% of cars) and the 2007 worst (beats 45%).

Of its engines, the 1.6 Diesel does best (beats 60%) and the 1.6 Petrol worst (beats 32%).

Better than average on steering.

Watch these weak spots

Body & structure1.3×as often as a typical car
Seat belts & airbags1.9×as often as a typical car
Coil springs1.7×as often as a typical car
Ball joint dust covers2.6×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%456789101112131415161718192086%79%73%64%58%54%52%53%49%
SEAT AlteaTypical 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.

2004
Beats 39%
2005
Beats 43%
2006
Beats 43%
2007
Beats 45%
2008
Beats 48%
2009
Beats 49%
2010
Beats 53%
2011
Beats 62%
2012
Beats 67%
2013
Beats 58%
2014
Beats 58%
2015
Beats 54%

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
1.9 Diesel2004–201258,39455.0%Beats 46%C
1.6 Diesel2010–201540,71070.8%Beats 60%B
2.0 Diesel2004–201337,33459.4%Beats 58%C
1.6 Petrol2004–200921,19851.5%Beats 32%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: 6.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.1% 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: 16.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.2% 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: 15.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.8% 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: 8.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.9% 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: 11.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.6% 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: 15.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.8% 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: 8.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.9% 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−0.7 ptsBrakes: 11.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.6% 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−0.3 ptsSuspension: 16.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.2% 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−1.6 ptsExhaust: 6.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.1% 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−1.0 ptsSuspension: 16.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.2% 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: 11.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.6% 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: 8.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.9% 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: 15.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.8% 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: 6.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.1% 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: 15.8% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.8% 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: 8.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.9% 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−0.7 ptsBrakes: 11.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.6% 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−0.3 ptsSuspension: 16.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.2% 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−1.6 ptsExhaust: 6.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.1% 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−1.0 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Suspension: 16.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 15.2% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Suspension
16.8% vs 15.2%
Lights & electrics
15.8% vs 18.8%
Brakes
11.0% vs 10.6%
Tyres
8.7% vs 7.9%
Body & structure
7.4% vs 5.8%
Emissions & leaks
6.0% vs 5.1%
Visibility
5.2% vs 6.3%
Seat belts & airbags
3.2% vs 1.7%
Steering
1.0% vs 3.1%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Coil springs 1.7× typical
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
  • Brake performance 1.8× typical
    On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal.
  • Shock absorbers 1.4× typical
    Push down hard on each corner: it should rebound once and settle. Look for oily dampers.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Brake lights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

40%50%60%70%80%90%20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k86%77%67%60%55%53%52%
SEAT AlteaTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Coil springs6.4%3.9%1.7×
Headlight aim6.2%4.8%1.3×
Tyre damage & cracking4.8%4.0%1.2×
Drive shaft (CV) joints4.3%2.3%1.9×
Brake lights4.1%3.7%1.1×
Sidelights3.6%5.2%0.7×
Tyre tread depth3.5%3.6%1.0×
Ball joint dust covers3.4%1.3%2.6×
Brake performance3.1%1.8%1.8×
Brake pads3.1%2.4%1.3×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened64.1
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements62.4
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc54.1
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc44.1
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning37.7
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements35.4
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn32.9
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm29.4
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.

2015 SEAT Altea1 engine78.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel3,88078.1%Beats 54%C
2014 SEAT Altea1 engine75.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel6,55775.4%Beats 58%C
2013 SEAT Altea2 engines71.2% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel11,19470.9%Beats 55%C
2.0 Diesel1,92173.2%Beats 68%B
2012 SEAT Altea3 engines70.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel9,83770.1%Beats 65%B
2.0 Diesel2,92872.3%Beats 76%B
1.9 Diesel1,39469.6%Beats 63%B
2011 SEAT Altea3 engines66.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel6,56766.8%Beats 63%B
2.0 Diesel2,89266.8%Beats 62%B
1.9 Diesel1,56164.1%Beats 51%C
2010 SEAT Altea3 engines61.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel5,74958.3%Beats 42%C
2.0 Diesel3,08065.3%Beats 68%B
1.6 Diesel2,67561.6%Beats 54%C
2009 SEAT Altea3 engines57.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel10,46057.6%Beats 50%C
2.0 Diesel3,42659.4%Beats 58%C
1.6 Petrol2,41156.0%Beats 30%D
2008 SEAT Altea3 engines55.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel12,32854.8%Beats 45%C
2.0 Diesel6,37257.7%Beats 58%C
1.6 Petrol3,08754.7%Beats 37%D
2007 SEAT Altea3 engines53.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel12,59553.4%Beats 45%C
2.0 Diesel8,35455.2%Beats 52%C
1.6 Petrol5,55852.8%Beats 35%D
2006 SEAT Altea3 engines51.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel8,42751.6%Beats 45%C
1.6 Petrol5,85949.7%Beats 31%D
2.0 Diesel3,54355.7%Beats 59%C
2005 SEAT Altea3 engines50.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel4,40650.8%Beats 48%C
2.0 Diesel2,99450.2%Beats 44%C
1.6 Petrol2,80648.4%Beats 32%D
2004 SEAT Altea3 engines48.0% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel1,82450.2%Beats 49%C
1.6 Petrol1,47745.2%Beats 24%D
1.9 Diesel1,47448.0%Beats 43%C

FAQ

What is the SEAT Altea MOT pass rate?

59.7% of MOT tests on the SEAT Altea were passed first time, based on 157,636 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2004–2015. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 59.8% of the time.

Is the SEAT Altea reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 50% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which SEAT Altea year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2008 Altea does best for its age and mileage: it beats 48% of cars on UK roads. The 2007 does worst: it beats 45%.

Which SEAT Altea engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.6 Diesel does best: it beats 60% of cars on UK roads. The 1.6 Petrol does worst: it beats 32%.

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

The most common failure items are coil springs, headlight aim, tyre damage & cracking. Compared with similar cars, coil springs comes up 1.7× 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.