Used car guide

2004 SEAT Alhambra: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 SEAT Alhambras, from 238 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 238 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

238MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
6,900typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 SEAT Alhambras than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Rigid brake pipes2× usual
    SEAT Alhambra
    34% All 2004 cars
    17.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 2.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3× usual
    SEAT Alhambra
    20.2% All 2004 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.8%, against 2.9% of all 2004 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.

  • Front strut mounts and bushes14× usual
    SEAT Alhambra
    12.6% All 2004 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.1% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Steering rack7× usual
    SEAT Alhambra
    12.6% All 2004 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 1% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Brake discs1.9× usual
    SEAT Alhambra
    25.2% All 2004 cars
    13.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.9% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

By area

The share of 2004 SEAT Alhambra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    66% 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.

  • Brakes
    53% 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
    46% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    30% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    21% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020812Tyres 31%
20192,553Tyres 30%
20182,513Tyres 30%
20175,926Tyres 31%
20164,112Tyres 32%
20152,118Suspension 37%
20141,798Suspension 41%
20131,495Suspension 47%
20121,341Suspension 52%
20111,149Suspension 53%
2010310Suspension 56%
2009281Suspension 65%
2008361Suspension 64%
2007309Suspension 70%
2006237Suspension 65%
2005196Suspension 70%
2003134Suspension 66%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 SEAT Alhambras registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score