Used car guide · 2004–2015

SEAT Altea common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used SEAT Altea, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 39,822 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

39,822MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
13,769on the UK register
1known fault across all years
2012best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004

What usually goes wrong with a SEAT Altea?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Timing chain wear (1.2 TSI petrol)

    Cars registered 2009–2012 · 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

Common SEAT Altea MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)

    up to 5.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 4.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    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.

  • Exhaust system

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Engine warning light

    up to 3.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2007 and 2008.

    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.

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 3.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009 and 2010.

    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.

  • Link ball joint covers

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006 and 2010.

    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.

Diesel

  • Braking performance

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012.

    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.

  • Link ball joint covers

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2011.

    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.

  • Airbag warning light

    up to 5.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    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.

  • Diesel smoke emissions

    up to 5.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006 and 2009.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

SEAT Altea MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2012 SEAT Altea did best (66% passed first time, 2 points above all 2012 cars) and the 2005 did worst (50%, 7 points below all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201571%74% -31,359
201469%70% -12,097
201366%67% -13,616
201266%64% +24,480
201162%62% +03,599
201058%60% -23,666
200956%59% -34,323
200854%57% -34,893
200755%57% -25,754
200652%56% -43,518
200550%57% -71,797
200450%57% -7720

Questions to ask the seller before buying a SEAT Altea

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

  1. Has the timing chain been changed, and is there an invoice? Does it rattle when you start it from cold?
  2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the SEAT Altea as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the SEAT Altea as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 15.4× as often on the SEAT Altea as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a SEAT Altea?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score