2016 SEAT Alhambra: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 SEAT Alhambra?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 SEAT Alhambra than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints3.3× usual
  SEAT Alhambra

  20.2% All 2016 cars

  6.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.1% of all 2016 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.

• Suspension arm5.4× usual
  SEAT Alhambra

  3.8% All 2016 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2016 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.

• Number plates1.9× usual
  SEAT Alhambra

  4% All 2016 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.3% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Common 2016 SEAT Alhambra MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 SEAT Alhambra MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  32% 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.

• Suspension
  30% 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
  20% 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
  8% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  5% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Known faults on the 2016 SEAT Alhambra

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.

• DSG gearbox problems (early cars)

  DSG automatic

  Some early cars had problems with the DSG automatic gearbox.

  At the viewing: Make sure it changes smoothly with no jerks or hesitation, and look for gearbox work in the paperwork.

  Source: What Car?: Seat Alhambra (2011-2020) reliability

• Air con and sat nav electrical faults

  All engines

  Most reported problems are electrical failures of the air con or sat nav.

  At the viewing: Test the air con and the sat nav.

  Source: What Car?: Seat Alhambra (2011-2020) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 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 suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2016 SEAT Alhambra as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 5.4× as often on the 2016 SEAT Alhambra as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2016 SEAT Alhambra as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?