SEAT Alhambra MOT pass rate and common problems
78.9% of 38,479 SEAT Alhambra MOT tests pass.
At 78.9%, the Alhambra passes slightly less often than the average across all SEAT models (80.3%).
The SEAT Alhambra's pass rate of 78.9% is in line with the national average for cars, at 79.2%.
Own this SEAT Alhambra?
This is the average across every SEAT Alhambra in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your SEAT’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 61.3% at 0–3 years to 56.6% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 61.3% | 31 | 26,445 miles |
| 3–6 years | 87.7% | 7,156 | 53,528 miles |
| 6–10 years | 82.7% | 20,108 | 97,816 miles |
| 10–15 years | 71.2% | 7,575 | 120,418 miles |
| 15+ years | 56.6% | 3,609 | 145,011 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the SEAT Alhambra
The most common reason the SEAT Alhambra fails its MOT is suspension — present in 51.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Pin or bush excessively worn".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 51.3% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Tyres | 39.7% | Has ply or cords exposed |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 33.1% | Not working |
| Brakes | 25.9% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Body, chassis, structure | 14.6% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Visibility | 9.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 9.3% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.7% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 4.6% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Road Wheels | 1.9% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used SEAT Alhambra: what to check
These checks follow the SEAT Alhambra’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the SEAT Alhambra comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 71.2% to 56.6%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 90.4% down to 84.3%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 51.3% of failed SEAT Alhambra MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 51.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 39.7% of failed SEAT Alhambra MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 12.4% of tests at 10–15 years failed on tyres.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 33.1% of failed SEAT Alhambra MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 31.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 25.9% of failed SEAT Alhambra MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 14.6% of failed SEAT Alhambra MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 30.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check SEAT service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related SEAT models
- SEAT Leon — 82.8% pass rate
- SEAT Arona — 88.4% pass rate
- SEAT Ateca — 91.3% pass rate
- SEAT Mii — 83.3% pass rate
- SEAT Altea — 66.7% pass rate
- SEAT Tarraco — 88.9% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the SEAT Alhambra?
- 78.9% of SEAT Alhambra MOT tests pass, based on 38,479 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the SEAT Alhambra?
- The most common reason the SEAT Alhambra fails its MOT is suspension — present in 51.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Pin or bush excessively worn".
- What are the common problems with the SEAT Alhambra?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the SEAT Alhambra are suspension; tyres; lights and electrics. Rare on young cars, but 51.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used SEAT Alhambra?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; tyres; lights and electrics; brakes; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the SEAT Alhambra's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the SEAT service history guide for how to check and keep one.