2009 · 15 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2009 SEAT Alhambra MOT pass rate and common faults

331 MOT tests in 2024. 46.5% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

80Well below average
Passed first time46.5%
Failed or needed repairs53.5%
Typical mileage at test135,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 331 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working13.6%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements6.6%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn6.3%
  4. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt6.3%
  5. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength6.0%
  6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid6.0%
  7. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases5.4%
  8. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side5.1%
  9. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.8%
  10. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension46.5%
  2. Lights & electrics36.9%
  3. Brakes31.4%
  4. Body & chassis25.4%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)13.6%
  6. Tyres7.9%
  7. Emissions & leaks7.9%
  8. Seat belts & airbags5.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm23.0%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened19.9%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine14.5%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn13.9%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.9%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. 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 2009 SEAT Alhambra?

In 2024, 46.5% of 2009 SEAT Alhambra cars passed their MOT first time, across 331 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 SEAT Alhambra?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2009 SEAT Alhambra reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 80, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).