2004 · 20 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2004 SEAT Altea MOT pass rate and common faults

213 MOT tests in 2024. 46.9% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

83Well below average
Passed first time46.9%
Failed or needed repairs53.0%
Typical mileage at test122,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 213 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction8.9%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect6.1%
  3. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.6%
  4. Position lamp: not working5.6%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements5.2%
  6. Stop lamp: not working5.2%
  7. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.7%
  8. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits4.7%
  9. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.2%
  10. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics38.0%
  2. Brakes30.5%
  3. Suspension22.5%
  4. Emissions & leaks19.2%
  5. Tyres9.4%
  6. Body & chassis8.5%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.0%
  8. Seat belts & airbags4.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm29.6%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened16.0%
  3. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened12.7%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened11.3%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn9.9%

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: malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All Altea years2005 Altea →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 SEAT Altea?

In 2024, 46.9% of 2004 SEAT Altea cars passed their MOT first time, across 213 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 SEAT Altea?

The most common failure reasons were malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 SEAT Altea reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 83, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).