SEAT
Altea
24,392 MOT tests analysed. runs below the UK fleet average — here's where Alteas pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 9.9 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
67.6%
Pass-after-fix
6.2%
Fail
25.5%
Avg miles
111,610
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Trim variants
The picture
SEAT Altea: challenging MOT record across 20,213 tests
The SEAT Altea is a diesel-powered car sold in the UK market across multiple generations, covering a broad date range in the test population.
MOT data from 20,213 tests puts this car on a 67.8% first-time pass rate, well below the UK fleet average. Average mileage at test is 107,930 miles. The most common fail item is transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated, followed by fractured or weakened suspension spring.
Honest John owner records point to premature clutch wear as the recurring problems to check before buying used.
The Altea's pass rate warrants caution in the used market. Factor in likely first-test remedial work on the common failure items and get a pre-purchase inspection that covers the specific items this car trips on most.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 8–26
Below the fleet average — generally reasonable to insure. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
8–26
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
1,480 occurrences · 6.1% of tests
- 02
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
1,036 occurrences · 4.2% of tests
- 03
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
867 occurrences · 3.6% of tests
- 04
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
782 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 05
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
654 occurrences · 2.7% of tests
- 06
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
640 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
- 07
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
624 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
- 08
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
541 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
- 09
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
540 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
- 10
A tyre cords visible or damaged
528 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 3 failures
£98–£355
If every one of this Altea's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
H7 / W21W bulb pack
A spare-bulb kit lives in the boot. Test morning is not the time to find your stop-lamp's gone.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
Headlight restoration kit
Yellowed lenses fail the light-output test. A restoration kit lifts the haze in an afternoon for £20.
Search Amazon UK
My Motor World · affiliate
Parts & supplies for this fix
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Hycote
Hycote Touch Up Colour Paint Brush Seat Flash Red 12.5ml
£6.59
View at My Motor World →
Hycote
Hycote Seat Black Magic Double Acrylic Spray Paint 150ml
£6.59
View at My Motor World →
Hycote
Hycote Seat Candy White Double Acrylic Spray Paint 150ml
£6.59
View at My Motor World →
Hycote
Hycote Seat Emocion Red Double Acrylic Spray Paint 150ml
£6.59
View at My Motor World →
Click Mechanic · affiliate
Book a mobile mechanic
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Mobile mechanic · UK-wide
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Fixed-price quotes upfront. No garage needed. Click Mechanic sends a vetted local mechanic to you — home, work, or roadside.
Owner reports · Honest John
What owners actually report.
Verbatim faults logged by owners on honestjohn.co.uk over recent years. We didn't summarise — these are the words people typed in.
What's good
Roomy cabin with a decent boot. Distinctive styling. Excellent crash test rating.
Recent owner-reported faults
- 14 Mar 2011
Digital LED display can be corrupted by below
- 22 Jan 2011
If ESP/ABS amber warning light comes on intermittently and will not re-set, you might not actually have the ATE Teves Mk 60 ABS/ESP problem. First check circuits and start at the ABS fuse and holder (no 9 on a Golf, on scuttle edge by driver door). Pull it out, have a look and if okay replace it. The warning light may then go out. Sometimes they slip out a bit and become wobbly, which is enough to set off the warning.
- 1 Jan 0001
On 1.9 TDI 105s both a clutch release bearing fault and a hesitation on running fault with no cure available from VW at 10-10-06. This seems to be caused by an ECU software problem. All engines need new timing belts and tensioners every 4 years or 60,000 miles whichever comes first. Cluch/DMF failures increasingly common by late 2009. Plastic timing belt tensioners of 1.4 and 1.6 16v engines failing regularly, though fortunately the belts are rarely flung off when this happens. Engine noise damping cover not fitted to Stylance 1.9 diesels. Costs £70 to have fitted. Complaint of repeated failure of cruise control, even after replacement of all relevant components. Hiccuping on 2008 1.9TDI 105s cured by a flash dealer download to the ECU. DSG heat exchangers prone to failure, filling the box with engine coolant, like the MB Valeo readiator problem on 2000 - 2004 models. ESP warning light can indicate Fault Code "Boost Pressure Sensor G201". This is embedded inside Teves Mk 60 ABS systems and requires replacement of ABS control unit/pump. Seems to be age-related, occurring mainly in 3 - 5 year old cars. Does not necessarily lead to an MoT failure. Some owners being asked to pay up to £1,300 for replacements on cars as young as 4 years old. More on the problem and independent rebuilds of the unit at: http://ecutesting.com/vw_golf_touran_abs_pump_module.html Also minor problems with hestitation when pulling away and car very prone to stalling. On 6-speed twin shaft manuals the gearchange from 1st to 2nd can become stiff. First stage dealer cure is to replace the transmission oil. If that fails, it needs a synchro ring replacing. So if your box stiffens up, make sure it is attended to before the warranty expires.
Source: honestjohn.co.uk · 3 reports indexed
Recall history
7 UK recalls on record.
The Altea has 7 official UK vehicle recalls covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Buying or keeping an Altea?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own an Altea and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.