2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 SEAT Altea MOT pass rate and common faults

1,537 MOT tests in 2024. 65.1% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

101About average
Passed first time65.1%
Failed or needed repairs34.9%
Typical mileage at test95,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,537 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.7%
  2. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.5%
  3. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak3.1%
  4. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn2.8%
  5. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.7%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
    56 marked dangerous
  7. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.3%
    45 marked dangerous
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.3%
    39 marked dangerous
  9. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.3%
  10. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.0%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension17.2%
  2. Lights & electrics17.0%
  3. Brakes14.9%
  4. Tyres8.6%
  5. Body & chassis5.0%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.3%
  7. Emissions & leaks3.6%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm23.8%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.1%
  3. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak10.0%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.3%
  5. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened8.1%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: coil spring: fractured or broken. 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 2012 SEAT Altea?

In 2024, 65.1% of 2012 SEAT Altea cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,537 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 SEAT Altea?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; service brake performance: excessively binding; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2012 SEAT Altea reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 101, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).