Used car guide

2014 SEAT Alhambra: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 SEAT Alhambras, from 1,798 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,798MOT tests in 2025
69%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)
9,700typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2014 SEAT Alhambras than on all cars registered in 2014.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints3.1× usual
    SEAT Alhambra
    25.1% All 2014 cars
    8.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 1.7% of all 2014 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.

  • Suspension arm4.6× usual
    SEAT Alhambra
    7.8% All 2014 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2014 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.

  • Engine warning light2.9× usual
    SEAT Alhambra
    4.7% All 2014 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.6% of all 2014 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.

  • Link ball joint covers2.6× usual
    SEAT Alhambra
    3.7% All 2014 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.8% of all 2014 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.

Better than most

Track rod ends: 1.4% here, against 4.5% of all 2014 cars. Ball joint: 1.3% here, against 4.2% of all 2014 cars.

By area

The share of 2014 SEAT Alhambra 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
    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.

  • Brakes
    23% 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
    13% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    5% 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.

Looking at a SEAT Alhambra?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020812Tyres 31%
20192,553Tyres 30%
20182,513Tyres 30%
20175,926Tyres 31%
20164,112Tyres 32%
20152,118Tyres 37%
20131,495Suspension 47%
20121,341Suspension 52%
20111,149Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2014 SEAT Alhambras registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score