2007 SEAT Altea: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2007 SEAT Alteas, from 1,444 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2007 SEAT Alteas than on all cars registered in 2007.
- Drive shaft (CV) joints2.5× usualSEAT Altea18.6% All 2007 cars7.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 7.8%, against 3.2% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £60–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.
- Sub-frame1.7× usualSEAT Altea13.4% All 2007 cars7.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.4% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
- Braking performance1.8× usualSEAT Altea11.6% All 2007 cars6.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 2.5% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
- Anti-roll bar link joints1.9× usualSEAT Altea8% All 2007 cars4.2%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.5% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
- Airbag warning light3.9× usualSEAT Altea4.3% All 2007 cars1.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Rigid brake pipes: 2.2% here, against 11.2% of all 2007 cars. Number plate lights: 4.4% here, against 8.8% of all 2007 cars.
By area
The share of 2007 SEAT Altea MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension54% 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.
- Tyres39% 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.
- Brakes38% 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 electrics37% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Driveshafts and joints18% of testsRough price £60–£350
At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.
- Exhaust and emissions17% 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.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 691 | Suspension 37% |
| 2013 | 1,151 | Suspension 40% |
| 2012 | 1,390 | Suspension 44% |
| 2011 | 1,125 | Suspension 45% |
| 2010 | 1,071 | Suspension 49% |
| 2009 | 1,196 | Suspension 52% |
| 2008 | 1,290 | Suspension 52% |
| 2006 | 829 | Suspension 52% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2007 SEAT Alteas registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score