Used car guide

2015 SEAT Alhambra: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 SEAT Alhambras, from 2,118 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,118MOT tests in 2025
74%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)
10,500typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2015 SEAT Alhambras than on all cars registered in 2015.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints3.1× usual
    SEAT Alhambra
    22.1% All 2015 cars
    7.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 1.4% of all 2015 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 arm7× usual
    SEAT Alhambra
    8.4% All 2015 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2015 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.

  • Number plates1.9× usual
    SEAT Alhambra
    4.5% All 2015 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.3% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Better than most

Number plate lights: 1.3% here, against 4.1% of all 2015 cars.

By area

The share of 2015 SEAT Alhambra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    37% 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
    21% 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
    11% 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
    7% 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?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020812Tyres 31%
20192,553Tyres 30%
20182,513Tyres 30%
20175,926Tyres 31%
20164,112Tyres 32%
20141,798Suspension 41%
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 2015 SEAT Alhambras registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score