Used car guide

2008 SEAT Altea XL: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 SEAT Altea XLs, from 211 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 211 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

211MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
7,400typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 SEAT Altea XLs than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.1× usual
    SEAT Altea XL
    22.3% All 2008 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.9%, against 3.2% of all 2008 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.

By area

The share of 2008 SEAT Altea XL MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% 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
    42% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    35% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    33% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    22% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    18% 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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2013234Tyres 35%
2012101Suspension 52%
2009150Suspension 60%
2007146Suspension 60%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 SEAT Altea XLs registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score