Used car guide

2012 SEAT Altea XL: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 SEAT Altea XLs, from 101 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 101 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

101MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
8,300typical miles a year
52%had suspension flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

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

  • Suspension
    52% 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
    37% 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    8% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

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.

    Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Polo (2009-2017) used review

Looking at a SEAT Altea XL?

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

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2013234Tyres 35%
2009150Suspension 60%
2008211Suspension 50%
2007146Suspension 60%

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