Used car guide · 1996–2021

SEAT Alhambra common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used SEAT Alhambra, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 81,346 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1999 SEAT Alhambra

Too few SEAT Alhambra cars first registered in 1999 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the SEAT Alhambra as a whole.

154on the UK register at the end of 2025
Dieselfuel type
What to check on a 1999 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996

What usually goes wrong with a SEAT Alhambra?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • DSG gearbox problems (early cars)

    Cars registered 2011–2020 · 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

    Cars registered 2011–2020 · 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

Common SEAT Alhambra MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Diesel

  • Chassis rust or damage

    up to 4.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004 and 2007.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings

    up to 4.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004 and 2007.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 8.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019 and 2020.

    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.

  • Body structure rust or damage

    up to 6.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003 and 2007.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 3.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004 and 2007.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003 and 2004.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

SEAT Alhambra MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2011 SEAT Alhambra did best (65% passed first time, 3 points above all 2011 cars) and the 2009 did worst (48%, 11 points below all 2009 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202086%87% -12,457
201984%85% -17,906
201883%83% +07,520
201780%80% +017,866
201678%77% +112,499
201574%74% +06,472
201471%70% +15,532
201368%67% +14,604
201266%64% +24,173
201165%62% +33,622
201058%60% -21,042
200948%59% -11967
200849%57% -81,374
200746%57% -111,291
200650%56% -61,064
200549%57% -8860
200448%57% -91,069
200348%57% -9654
200247%58% -11260 (small sample)
200151%60% -9114 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a SEAT Alhambra

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 7.9× as often on the SEAT Alhambra as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 6.7× as often on the SEAT Alhambra as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 4.1× as often on the SEAT Alhambra as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a SEAT Alhambra?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score