2020 SEAT Alhambra diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 SEAT Alhambra diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 SEAT Alhambra diesel than on all cars registered in 2020.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints7.7× usual
  SEAT Alhambra

  8.5% All 2020 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.2% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Nail or damage in a tyre2× usual
  SEAT Alhambra

  4.2% All 2020 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

Common 2020 SEAT Alhambra diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 SEAT Alhambra diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  30% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  17% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  9% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  6% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  4% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Seats and seatbelts
  4% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2020 SEAT Alhambra diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• DSG gearbox problems (early cars)

  DSG automatic

  Some early cars had problems with the DSG automatic gearbox.

  At the viewing: Make sure it changes smoothly with no jerks or hesitation, and look for gearbox work in the paperwork.

  Source: What Car?: Seat Alhambra (2011-2020) reliability

• Air con and sat nav electrical faults

  All engines

  Most reported problems are electrical failures of the air con or sat nav.

  At the viewing: Test the air con and the sat nav.

  Source: What Car?: Seat Alhambra (2011-2020) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 SEAT Alhambra diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 7.7× as often on the 2020 SEAT Alhambra diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the nail or damage in a tyre? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2020 SEAT Alhambra diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?