2011 SEAT Altea diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 SEAT Altea diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 SEAT Altea diesel than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Braking performance2.3× usual
  SEAT Altea

  12.4% All 2011 cars

  5.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 2.1% of all 2011 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.

• Suspension arm3× usual
  SEAT Altea

  7.6% All 2011 cars

  2.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.3% of all 2011 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.

• Link ball joint covers3× usual
  SEAT Altea

  7.1% All 2011 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 1.4% of all 2011 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.2× usual
  SEAT Altea

  7.8% All 2011 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 1.4% of all 2011 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.

• Brake lights1.9× usual
  SEAT Altea

  7.6% All 2011 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 3.3% of all 2011 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 2011 SEAT Altea diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 SEAT Altea diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  41% 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
  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.

• Brakes
  33% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  9% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 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 braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2011 SEAT Altea diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2011 SEAT Altea diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2011 SEAT Altea diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?