2011 SEAT Altea petrol: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Engine oil leaks2.1× usual
  SEAT Altea

  15.5% All 2011 cars

  7.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Suspension arm3.6× usual
  SEAT Altea

  9.1% All 2011 cars

  2.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, 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

  7.3% All 2011 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 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.

Common 2011 SEAT Altea petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  38% 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
  33% 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
  26% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  25% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  18% 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.

• 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 an engine warning light.

Known faults on the 2011 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 2011 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 engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2011 SEAT Altea petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2011 SEAT Altea petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2011 SEAT Altea petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?