2012 SEAT Altea · 4,908 MOT tests
2012 SEAT Altea reliability
2012 SEAT Alteas fail 33% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 12 Altea years (4,908 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all SEAT Alteas: 41.2%)
- 33%
- first-time fail rate (all SEAT Alteas: 41.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 4% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 10
- 88,885
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 10
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 4,908
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: about average for its age (the 2012 car does better)
- 2013 cars: 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does better)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 1.2% of tests fail here (31% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: windscreen, wipers and mirrors, 21% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 SEAT Altea
Fail rate by area
- Suspension12%
- Lights and electrics11.9%
- Brakes8.9%
- Tyres7.1%
- Body, chassis and structure4.1%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.9%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.89%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 3.14%
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.53%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Service brake excessively binding 2.38%
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.2%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.2%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (19.74%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.23%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.11%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (7.64%) · Brake pads wearing thin (7.15%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (5.93%)
Other years
Every SEAT Altea year
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Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2012 SEAT Altea reliable?
2012 SEAT Alteas fail 33% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 12 Altea years (4,908 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 SEAT Altea MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (3.89% of tests), shock absorber serious fluid leak (3.14% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.53% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 SEAT Altea have done?
At its MOT aged about 10, a typical 2012 SEAT Altea shows 88,885 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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