2008 SEAT Altea XL diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 SEAT Altea XL diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 SEAT Altea XL diesel than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints3.1× usual
  SEAT Altea XL

  20.2% All 2008 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.5%, against 3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Braking performance2.2× usual
  SEAT Altea XL

  14.5% All 2008 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 2.7% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Seat belts3.5× usual
  SEAT Altea XL

  5.2% All 2008 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

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

Common 2008 SEAT Altea XL diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 SEAT Altea XL diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  50% 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.

• Tyres
  39% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  37% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  36% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  20% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Exhaust and emissions
  17% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 SEAT Altea XL 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 drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2008 SEAT Altea XL diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2008 SEAT Altea XL diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the seat belts? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2008 SEAT Altea XL diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?