SEAT Alhambra: what fails at MOT
38,000 MOT tests on the SEAT Alhambra in 2024, counted. 24.9% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
24.9% of SEAT Alhambra tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 23.3%, so the Alhambra is about average for its age.
It fails most often on tyres (6.5% of tests), suspension (6.2% of tests) and lights and electrics (5% of tests). It fails on tyres and suspension more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1,189 | 16.1% | 11.5% | 34,400 23,000 to 48,300 |
| 2019 | 3,844 | 15.6% | 13.4% | 45,200 29,800 to 67,200 |
| 2018 | 3,606 | 15.7% | 15.6% | 58,100 40,800 to 86,200 |
| 2017 | 8,308 | 19.0% | 18.2% | 71,400 51,600 to 110,300 |
| 2016 | 5,740 | 22.0% | 21.3% | 88,000 63,600 to 136,300 |
| 2015 | 3,000 | 25.7% | 24.4% | 97,400 72,800 to 141,700 |
| 2014 | 2,549 | 27.1% | 27.7% | 99,300 77,700 to 130,000 |
| 2013 | 2,114 | 31.2% | 30.6% | 101,700 81,500 to 131,000 |
| 2012 | 1,936 | 34.1% | 33.4% | 112,600 89,700 to 143,500 |
| 2011 | 1,647 | 35.0% | 36.1% | 123,200 97,800 to 151,500 |
| 2010 | 485 | 41.0% | 38.6% | 132,200 108,700 to 156,800 |
| 2009 | 439 | 51.5% | 39.8% | 135,900 112,900 to 165,400 |
| 2008 | 682 | 52.6% | 41.5% | 140,500 111,000 to 167,000 |
| 2007 | 613 | 56.4% | 41.5% | 140,400 115,300 to 163,500 |
| 2006 | 473 | 48.6% | 42.4% | 147,700 120,100 to 169,500 |
| 2005 | 379 | 46.2% | 42.2% | 143,400 125,000 to 171,400 |
| 2004 | 496 | 52.0% | 42.3% | 149,000 122,500 to 174,500 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of SEAT Alhambra tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Alhambra | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 6.5% | 4.1% | More than most |
| Suspension | 6.2% | 4.6% | More than most |
| Lights and electrics | 5.0% | 5.7% | |
| Brakes | 3.4% | 3.7% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.1% | 1.6% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.8% | 2.6% | Less than most |
| Body and structure | 1.8% | 1.6% | |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.8% | 0.4% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre4.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes3.3%
- Tyre tread2.0%
- Engine warning light1.7%
- Headlamp aim1.6%
- Brake pads1.4%
- Side light1.2%
- Coil spring0.9%
- Washers0.9%
- Side indicators0.8%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.2%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed2.7%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.7%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.3%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.3%
- Side light: not working1.2%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.9%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.8%
- Side indicators: not working0.7%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge17.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement11.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.5%
- Brake pads: wearing thin6.0%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.3%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt3.1%
- Number plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread2.4%
- Coil spring: corroded2.4%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a SEAT Alhambra's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.