2009 SEAT Altea XL: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 SEAT Altea XLs, from 150 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: only 150 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 SEAT Altea XLs than on all cars registered in 2009.
- Drive shaft (CV) joints3.8× usualSEAT Altea XL20% All 2009 cars5.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 10%, against 2.4% of all 2009 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.
By area
The share of 2009 SEAT Altea XL MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension60% 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.
- Tyres41% 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 electrics40% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Brakes35% 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 joints20% of testsRough price £60–£350
At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.
- Exhaust and emissions14% 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.
Known faults
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- Timing chain wear (1.2 TSI petrol)1.2 TSI petrol (older engine)
The older 1.2 TSI petrol uses a timing chain that can stretch. It starts as a rattle, especially when the engine first starts, and if it’s left the chain can fail and destroy the engine. Some garages advise changing it as often as every four years or 40,000 miles.
At the viewing: Start the engine from cold and listen for a rattle in the first few seconds. Ask whether the chain has been changed, with an invoice.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 234 | Tyres 35% |
| 2012 | 101 | Suspension 52% |
| 2008 | 211 | Suspension 50% |
| 2007 | 146 | Suspension 60% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 SEAT Altea XLs registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score