SEAT Altea MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 16,876 MOT tests on the SEAT Altea carried out in 2023. 41% failed at the first attempt, which is well above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 6 in 10 Alteas passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2004 to 2015. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2012 models did best (66% passed, +0.8 points against the average for 11-year-old cars), while 2004 models fared worst (51%, −5.4 points). Tested cars had covered 106,838 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was suspension, found on 16.8% of tests (noticeably above the 8.9% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 7.6% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 16,876
- First-time pass rate
- 59%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −12.6 points
- Average mileage at test
- 106,838
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Altea?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Altea MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 467 | 74% | 75% | −1.6 points | 66,654 |
| 2014 | 790 | 72% | 72% | +0.1 points | 74,680 |
| 2013 | 1,521 | 69% | 68% | +0.4 points | 83,753 |
| 2012 | 1,714 | 66% | 66% | +0.8 points | 92,414 |
| 2011 | 1,397 | 63% | 63% | +0.1 points | 98,840 |
| 2010 | 1,497 | 57% | 60% | −3.1 points | 105,679 |
| 2009 | 1,877 | 56% | 59% | −2.5 points | 112,632 |
| 2008 | 2,287 | 53% | 57% | −4.2 points | 118,504 |
| 2007 | 2,651 | 55% | 57% | −2.2 points | 120,637 |
| 2006 | 1,544 | 51% | 56% | −5.2 points | 119,863 |
| 2005 | 796 | 52% | 56% | −4.5 points | 126,832 |
| 2004 | 334 | 51% | 56% | −5.4 points | 127,204 |
Why the SEAT Altea fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Altea | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 16.8% | 8.9% |
| Lights and electrics | 16.1% | 11.3% |
| Brakes | 11.9% | 6.8% |
| Tyres | 8.3% | 6.3% |
| Body and structure | 8.1% | 3.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.9% | 3.1% |
| Visibility | 5.3% | 4.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 3.1% | 1.0% |
| Steering | 1.2% | 1.8% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working7.6%
- 2fractured or broken6.8%
- 3ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.3%
- 4constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.4%
- 5excessively binding3.6%
- 6tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.2%
- 7projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.2%
- 8less than 1.5 mm thick2.9%
- 9ball joint excessively worn2.9%
- 10has ply or cords exposed2.8%
Common Altea MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Altea, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 21.6% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 13.6% |
| corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 8.5% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 8.5% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 8.3% |
| has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 7.5% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 6.6% |
| excessively binding | Brakes | 6.5% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.0% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 5.9% |
Tips to help your Altea pass
Based on where Alteas most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 16.1% of Altea tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 11.9% of Altea tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the Altea ULEZ compliant? See the SEAT Altea ULEZ check, or view all SEAT models.
Other SEAT models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 16,876 first MOT tests of the SEAT Altea carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 16,876 first MOT tests of the SEAT Altea.
What is the SEAT Altea MOT failure rate?
In our data, 41% of 16,876 first MOT attempts on the SEAT Altea ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a SEAT Altea fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were suspension (16.8% of tests), lights and electrics (16.1% of tests), brakes (11.9% of tests).
Which Altea year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2012 cars performed best: 66% passed first time, +0.8 points against the average for 11-year-old cars. The weakest was 2004, at 51% (−5.4 points).
How many miles had a typical SEAT Altea covered at its MOT?
The average was 106,838 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2015 cars averaged 66,654 miles and 2004 cars 127,204.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the SEAT Altea?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 21.6% of tests, in the tyres area. 8.3% of Alteas failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Altea's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 16,876 Alteas in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 51% to 74% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
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