2009 SEAT Alhambra: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 SEAT Alhambra?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 SEAT Alhambra than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Ball joint dust cover3.1× usual
  SEAT Alhambra

  12.9% All 2009 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.7% of all 2009 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.

• Body structure rust or damage7.8× usual
  SEAT Alhambra

  9.3% All 2009 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 0.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

• Rust around suspension or steering mountings4× usual
  SEAT Alhambra

  9.5% All 2009 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 1.1% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Front strut mounts and bushes9.6× usual
  SEAT Alhambra

  7.7% All 2009 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.1% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Sidelights2× usual
  SEAT Alhambra

  13.9% All 2009 cars

  6.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 13.6%, against 6% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2009 SEAT Alhambra MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 SEAT Alhambra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  60% 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
  39% 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
  35% 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
  34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Rust and bodywork
  18% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  16% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 SEAT Alhambra

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2009 SEAT Alhambra as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the body structure rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 7.8× as often on the 2009 SEAT Alhambra as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2009 SEAT Alhambra as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?