2007 SEAT Altea diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2007 SEAT Altea diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2007 SEAT Altea diesel than on all cars registered in 2007.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.4× usual
  SEAT Altea

  16.2% All 2007 cars

  6.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 3.1% of all 2007 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 performance1.9× usual
  SEAT Altea

  12.4% All 2007 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2.7% of all 2007 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2× usual
  SEAT Altea

  8.5% All 2007 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.6% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Sub-frame1.7× usual
  SEAT Altea

  10% All 2007 cars

  6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.4% of all 2007 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 light3.9× usual
  SEAT Altea

  4.3% All 2007 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1% of all 2007 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 2007 SEAT Altea diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2007 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.

• 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.

• Brakes
  37% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  36% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Driveshafts and joints
  16% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  13% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2007 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 2.4× as often on the 2007 SEAT Altea diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2007 SEAT Altea diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2007 SEAT Altea diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?