2009 SEAT Altea petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 SEAT Altea petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 SEAT Altea petrol than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints4.4× usual
  SEAT Altea

  21% All 2009 cars

  4.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.3%, against 2.3% of all 2009 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.

• Exhaust system2.2× usual
  SEAT Altea

  17.2% All 2009 cars

  7.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 2.2% of all 2009 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.

• Ball joint dust cover2.4× usual
  SEAT Altea

  9.7% All 2009 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.7% of all 2009 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.

• Suspension arm2.5× usual
  SEAT Altea

  7.8% All 2009 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.4% of all 2009 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.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.2× usual
  SEAT Altea

  5.7% All 2009 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 1.7% of all 2009 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.

Common 2009 SEAT Altea petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 SEAT Altea petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  47% 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
  32% 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
  28% 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
  22% 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
  21% 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.

Known faults on the 2009 SEAT Altea petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Timing chain wear (1.2 TSI petrol)

  1.2 TSI petrol (older engine)

  The older 1.2 TSI petrol uses a timing chain that can stretch. It starts as a rattle, especially when the engine first starts, and if it’s left the chain can fail and destroy the engine. Some garages advise changing it as often as every four years or 40,000 miles.

  At the viewing: Start the engine from cold and listen for a rattle in the first few seconds. Ask whether the chain has been changed, with an invoice.

  Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Polo (2009-2017) used review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 SEAT Altea petrol

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

1. Has the timing chain been changed, and is there an invoice? Does it rattle when you start it from cold?
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.4× as often on the 2009 SEAT Altea petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2009 SEAT Altea petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2009 SEAT Altea petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?