2015 SEAT Altea: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 SEAT Altea?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 SEAT Altea than on all cars registered in 2015.

• Suspension arm15.4× usual
  SEAT Altea

  10.8% All 2015 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.1% of all 2015 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.

• Shock absorbers2.8× usual
  SEAT Altea

  12.9% All 2015 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 0.9% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Headlight aim2.5× usual
  SEAT Altea

  6.1% All 2015 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 2.4% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £20–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.

• Braking performance1.9× usual
  SEAT Altea

  5.8% All 2015 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 1.1% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints3.4× usual
  SEAT Altea

  3.7% All 2015 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.4% of all 2015 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.

Common 2015 SEAT Altea MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 SEAT Altea 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
  26% 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
  17% 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
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2015 SEAT Altea

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? (Flagged at MOT 15.4× as often on the 2015 SEAT Altea as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2015 SEAT Altea as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the headlight aim? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2015 SEAT Altea as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?