2013 SEAT Altea XL: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 SEAT Altea XL?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 SEAT Altea XL than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Shock absorbers2.2× usual
  SEAT Altea XL

  11.7% All 2013 cars

  5.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.2% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Headlight aim2.2× usual
  SEAT Altea XL

  7.8% All 2013 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.8%, against 3.5% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

• Braking performance1.9× usual
  SEAT Altea XL

  8.3% All 2013 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.6% of all 2013 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.

• Headlights2.1× usual
  SEAT Altea XL

  6.9% All 2013 cars

  3.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 2.5% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Individual direction indicators2.9× usual
  SEAT Altea XL

  5% All 2013 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2013 SEAT Altea XL MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 SEAT Altea XL MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  36% 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
  31% 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
  30% 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
  30% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  5% 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 2013 SEAT Altea XL

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

1. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2013 SEAT Altea XL as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the headlight aim? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2013 SEAT Altea XL as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2013 SEAT Altea XL as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?