MPV and people carrier · 2004–2021 cars
SEAT Altea reliability
The SEAT Altea fails 41.2% of first MOT tests, 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 49,576 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a SEAT Altea before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 41.2%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 4% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 49,576
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,500
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the SEAT Altea ages
Each point is the share of SEAT Alteas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | SEAT Altea | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 19.2% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 22.2% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 27.7% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 30.1% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 33% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 35.2% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 40% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 43.1% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 44.1% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 46.9% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 46.7% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 47.5% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 49.7% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 54.9% | 43.4% |
By year
The best and worst SEAT Altea years
2012 cars come out best and 2004 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Altea | 1,426 | 24.3% | 1% more fails | 61,964 |
| 2014 Altea | 2,176 | 27.8% | 2% more fails | 68,643 |
| 2013 Altea | 3,995 | 32.3% | 4% more fails | 79,833 |
| 2012 Altea | 4,908 | 33% | 4% fewer fails | 88,885 |
| 2011 Altea | 4,044 | 37.6% | 1% more fails | 96,658 |
| 2010 Altea | 4,467 | 41.1% | 3% more fails | 102,671 |
| 2009 Altea | 5,440 | 42.6% | 2% more fails | 110,538 |
| 2008 Altea | 6,471 | 46.5% | 7% more fails | 116,524 |
| 2007 Altea | 7,936 | 45.4% | 2% more fails | 120,091 |
| 2006 Altea | 5,054 | 48.6% | 9% more fails | 119,023 |
| 2005 Altea | 2,567 | 49.4% | 9% more fails | 123,242 |
| 2004 Altea | 1,084 | 52.4% | 16% more fails | 123,016 |
Common problems
What fails most on a SEAT Altea
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 77% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension17.2%12% above avg
- Lights and electrics16.5%10% below avg
- Brakes11.8%12% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure8.4%33% above avg
- Tyres8.3%8% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.5%21% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.5%10% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags3.2%77% above avg
- Steering1.3%59% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken 6.1% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.13% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 3
Stop lamp not working 3.75% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 4
Position lamp not working 3.34% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 5
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 3.08% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
- 6
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.97% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 7
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.85% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 8
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.65% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a SEAT Altea's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit20.21%
- Brake disc pitted or scored12.18%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking7.67%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.33%
- Shock absorber light oil misting6.88%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion5.66%
Before you buy
What to check on a used SEAT Altea
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 3
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 4
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical SEAT Altea covers about 8,500 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel81.8%
- Petrol18.2%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Grey, Black, Red, Silver, Blue
Average engine size: 1.8 litres.
Compare
How the SEAT Altea compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz V-Class | 17% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Elgrand | 29% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Caravelle | 33.5% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Altea | 41.2% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Tourneo | 25.6% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Carens | 35.6% | 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C4 Grand Picasso | 28.6% | 49% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every mpv and people carrier ranked in the mpv and people carrier reliability index, or all SEAT models.
Questions
SEAT Altea questions, answered
Is the SEAT Altea reliable?
On MOT results, the SEAT Altea is about average: it fails 41.2% of first MOT tests, 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 21 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.
What fails most on a SEAT Altea MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the SEAT Altea are coil spring fractured or broken (6.1% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (4.13% of tests), stop lamp not working (3.75% of tests). By area, suspension fails 17.2% of its tests.
Which SEAT Altea year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2012 cars do best (4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2004 cars do worst (16% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a SEAT Altea do a year?
A typical SEAT Altea covers about 8,500 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a SEAT Altea before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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