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SEAT Altea Mk1 (5P) (2004-2015) reliability

At a glance

SEAT Altea Mk1 (5P) built around 2015: about average at the MOT

SEAT Altea Mk1 (5P) models built around 2015 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a SEAT Altea Mk1 (5P) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

24% of MOT tests on SEAT Altea Mk1 (5P) models built around 2015 ended in a fail (retests included), against 26% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on SEAT Altea Mk1 (5P) models built around 2015 involves the tyres.

SEAT Altea Mk1 (5P)
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2004-2015MPVDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 17,216 tests of Altea models registered 2004-2015.

About 1 in 30 Altea Mk1 (5P) MOTs (3.4%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2015 (10 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 851 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 2.4% and 4.9%. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 15 Altea Mk1 (5P) MOTs (6%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2015 (10 years old).

Based on 851 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 4.6% and 7.8%. Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 (5P) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
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.

How the Altea Mk1 (5P) compares

At each age below, see how the Altea Mk1 (5P) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 57,408 tests across 6 SEAT models, built around 2015 (10 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateSEAT average
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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

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

Worth checking

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

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

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.

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Altea Mk1 (5P).

  1. 1

    Toyota Estima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.6%
    Dangerous
    3.6%

    Lower fail rate: 15.9%, against 24.0% for the SEAT Altea Mk1 (5P), both built around 2015.

    1,371 MOT tests on cars built around 2015

  2. 2

    Skoda Roomster

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.4%
    Dangerous
    4.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.4%

    Lower fail rate: 19.5%, against 24.0% for the SEAT Altea Mk1 (5P), both built around 2015.

    2,916 MOT tests on cars built around 2015

  3. 3

    Mercedes-Benz B-Class

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    20.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.6%
    Dangerous
    5.8%

    Lower fail rate: 20.9%, against 24.0% for the SEAT Altea Mk1 (5P), both built around 2015.

    6 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    8,272 MOT tests on cars built around 2015

  4. 4

    Ford B-MAX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.9%
    Dangerous
    4.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.2%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 4.8%, against 6.0% for the SEAT Altea Mk1 (5P).

    14,670 MOT tests on cars built around 2015

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.

How many are still registered

95%of all SEAT Altea cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

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 Altea Mk1 (5P) 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.

How Altea Mk1 (5P) cars have aged

How Altea Mk1 (5P) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%40%68101214161820Age at MOTBuilt around 2015, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.5% (387 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2015, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 15.6% (384 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2015, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 21.7% (411 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2015, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 22.9% (406 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2015, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 25.3% (403 tests, 2025 data)2015Built around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 16.6% (573 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 19.8% (591 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 23.3% (583 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 25.6% (601 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 24.5% (583 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 22.3% (1,267 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 24.2% (1,284 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 23.8% (1,225 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 25.7% (1,194 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 26.8% (1,161 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 22.9% (1,378 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 23.4% (1,369 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 24.4% (1,290 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 26.0% (1,268 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 27.0% (1,175 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 23.2% (1,174 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 27.2% (1,189 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 27.8% (1,098 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 28.0% (1,015 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 28.5% (964 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (1,474 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 28.3% (1,351 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 30.7% (1,254 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 30.1% (1,111 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 28.5% (929 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 30.2% (1,908 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 30.5% (1,779 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 30.5% (1,576 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (1,355 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.4% (1,097 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 32.0% (2,726 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.2% (2,403 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 33.2% (2,051 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (1,625 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.2% (1,256 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (3,277 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 33.2% (2,692 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (2,105 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (1,584 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.1% (1,177 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 34.8% (2,049 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 33.4% (1,599 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 35.3% (1,214 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.5% (920 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 32.4% (657 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 35.2% (1,109 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 31.0% (798 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.7% (609 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 38.1% (473 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 35.5% (321 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 33.0% (300 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 35.7% (238 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.3% (166 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 37.7% (69 tests, 2024 data)2004
First registered around 2015First registered around 2014First registered around 2013First registered around 2012
Mk1 (5P) variants compared
All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common issues on SEAT Alteas of this age

This list covers every SEAT Altea built around 2015, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 (5P) on its own.

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

    23.9%
    Advisory: 310Fail: 24 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    16.2%
    Advisory: 187Fail: 29 (13% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    13.2%
    Advisory: 121Fail: 37 (23% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    11.6%
    Advisory: 119Fail: 16 (12% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    11.3%
    Advisory: 129Fail: 1 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 851 tests

Looking at a SEAT Altea Mk1 (5P) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2015 (10 years old), the SEAT Altea Mk1 (5P) (2004-2015) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 851 10-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 17,216 MOT tests on SEAT Alteas first registered between 2004-2015. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.