Used car guide

2012 SEAT Altea: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 SEAT Alteas, from 1,390 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,390MOT tests in 2025
65%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
7,800typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 SEAT Alteas than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Headlights2.2× usual
    SEAT Altea
    10.5% All 2012 cars
    4.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 2.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Braking performance2.1× usual
    SEAT Altea
    10.1% All 2012 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Suspension arm2.8× usual
    SEAT Altea
    7.3% All 2012 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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 covers2.7× usual
    SEAT Altea
    6.8% All 2012 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.4% of all 2012 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.3× usual
    SEAT Altea
    7.2% All 2012 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.2% of all 2012 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

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 3.1% here, against 10.1% of all 2012 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 1.7% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 SEAT Altea MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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
    34% 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
    31% 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
    31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    8% 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.

  • 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.

Looking at a SEAT Altea?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2014691Suspension 37%
20131,151Suspension 40%
20111,125Suspension 45%
20101,071Suspension 49%
20091,196Suspension 52%
20081,290Suspension 52%
20071,444Suspension 54%
2006829Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 SEAT Alteas registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score