2005 SEAT Altea diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 SEAT Altea diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 SEAT Altea diesel than on all cars registered in 2005.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual
  SEAT Altea

  18.9% All 2005 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.8%, against 3.3% of all 2005 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
  SEAT Altea

  19% All 2005 cars

  10.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.4% of all 2005 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.

• Sub-frame2.2× usual
  SEAT Altea

  12.1% All 2005 cars

  5.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Airbag warning light3.8× usual
  SEAT Altea

  6.4% All 2005 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 1.5% of all 2005 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.

• Diesel smoke emissions4.4× usual
  SEAT Altea

  4% All 2005 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 0.8% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Common 2005 SEAT Altea diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 SEAT Altea diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  52% 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.

• Brakes
  44% 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.

• Tyres
  40% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  20% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Driveshafts and joints
  19% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 SEAT Altea 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 2.7× as often on the 2005 SEAT Altea diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2005 SEAT Altea diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2005 SEAT Altea diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?