2013 · 11 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2013 SEAT Altea MOT pass rate and common faults

1,402 MOT tests in 2024. 65.8% passed first time, compared with 66.8% for all cars the same age.

99About average
Passed first time65.8%
Failed or needed repairs34.2%
Typical mileage at test86,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,402 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.7%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.1%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
    44 marked dangerous
  4. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.5%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
    54 marked dangerous
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.1%
  7. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.1%
    37 marked dangerous
  8. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.0%
  9. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault1.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics19.4%
  2. Suspension14.0%
  3. Brakes11.4%
  4. Tyres8.1%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.4%
  6. Body & chassis4.0%
  7. Seat belts & airbags2.1%
  8. Emissions & leaks2.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm22.5%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.1%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.1%
  4. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak8.8%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.1%

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 2013 SEAT Altea?

In 2024, 65.8% of 2013 SEAT Altea cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,402 tests. The average for all 11-year-old cars was 66.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2013 SEAT Altea?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2013 SEAT Altea reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 99, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).