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SEAT Altea reliability by build year

Coverage 2004-20151 named generationMPVDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

SEAT Altea built around 2008: about average at the MOT

SEAT Alteas built around 2008 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a SEAT Altea by number plate

Key figure

32% of MOT tests on SEAT Alteas built around 2008 ended in a fail (retests included), against 32% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on SEAT Alteas built around 2008 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The SEAT Altea's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Altea's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Altea Mk1 (5P)

Mk1 (5P) (2004-2015)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

24.0% fail rate, built around 2015 (10 years old)

Likely between 21.2% and 27.0%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 22.8%)

From 851 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the SEAT Altea.

See every build year for the SEAT Altea

By age

SEAT Altea fail rate by age

This chart combines every SEAT Altea ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
19522.6%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
85124.0%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
1,33825.6%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
2,09826.7%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,93727.5%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
1,68428.7%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
1,76830.6%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
1,96432.4%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
2,31432.5%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,67233.1%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
92531.9%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
47035.1%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 20 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 17-year-old SEAT Alteas

These issues come from 17-year-old SEAT Alteas, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    28.1%
    Advisory: 931Fail: 50 (5% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    17.5%
    Advisory: 497Fail: 120 (19% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    16.6%
    Advisory: 499Fail: 9 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    15.1%
    Advisory: 551Fail: 6 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    14.8%
    Advisory: 333Fail: 151 (31% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,314 MOT tests on 17-year-old SEAT Alteas, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 17-year-old SEAT Alteas notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Suspension + Tyres33%
  2. Brakes + Suspension33%
  3. Brakes + Tyres25%
  4. Lighting + Suspension24%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 1,561 MOT tests on SEAT Altea cars built around 2008 (17 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

95%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

9 recalls in all

All 9 SEAT Altea recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 Critical
  • 6 more

Top concerns

  • Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement
  • Starter motor may malfunction and overheat
  • Flywheel may fail

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers to compare

  1. 1

    Toyota Estima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.5%
    Dangerous
    5.4%

    Lower fail rate: 21.1%, against 32.5% for the SEAT Altea, both built around 2008.

    1,330 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  2. 2

    Toyota Alphard

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.2%
    Dangerous
    5.6%

    Lower fail rate: 21.0%, against 32.5% for the SEAT Altea, both built around 2008.

    2,023 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  3. 3

    Nissan Elgrand

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.5%
    Dangerous
    8.2%

    Lower fail rate: 23.1%, against 32.5% for the SEAT Altea, both built around 2008.

    2,345 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  4. 4

    Volkswagen Caddy

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.4%
    Dangerous
    6.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.8%

    Lower fail rate: 29.5%, against 32.5% for the SEAT Altea, both built around 2008.

    6,217 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2008 (17 years old), the SEAT Altea across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 2,314 17-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every SEAT Altea ever sold: 17,216 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2008 (17 years old): 2,314 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.