2008 SEAT Altea petrol: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Exhaust system2.5× usual
  SEAT Altea

  21.4% All 2008 cars

  8.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

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

  15.6% All 2008 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, 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.

• Shock absorbers2× usual
  SEAT Altea

  15.1% All 2008 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 2.1% of all 2008 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.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)4× usual
  SEAT Altea

  8.4% All 2008 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 2% of all 2008 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 an engine warning light.

• Engine warning light2.8× usual
  SEAT Altea

  7.4% All 2008 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.4%, against 2.6% of all 2008 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 2008 SEAT Altea petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  45% 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
  37% 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
  32% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  29% 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 an engine warning light.

• 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 SEAT Altea petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2008 SEAT Altea petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2008 SEAT Altea petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2008 SEAT Altea petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?