2011 · 13 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2011 SEAT Alhambra MOT pass rate and common faults

1,202 MOT tests in 2024. 64.9% passed first time, compared with 61.8% for all cars the same age.

105Above average
Passed first time64.9%
Failed or needed repairs35.1%
Typical mileage at test122,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,202 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn6.6%
  2. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction5.2%
  3. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.9%
  4. Side repeaters: not working3.5%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.1%
    52 marked dangerous
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.7%
    42 marked dangerous
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
    51 marked dangerous
  8. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.8%
  9. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.8%
  10. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.7%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension20.5%
  2. Lights & electrics13.6%
  3. Tyres9.7%
  4. Brakes7.2%
  5. Emissions & leaks7.1%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.3%
  7. Body & chassis2.1%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm27.5%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn23.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12.1%
  4. Suspension arm: corroded and seriously weakened11.4%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.1%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2011 SEAT Alhambra?

In 2024, 64.9% of 2011 SEAT Alhambra cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,202 tests. The average for all 13-year-old cars was 61.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2011 SEAT Alhambra?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2011 SEAT Alhambra reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 105, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).