The picture
Alhambra: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 34,618 MOT tests, the Alhambra returns 77.9% first-time pass — roughly in line with the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is worn suspension bushes. A tyre with the cords showing and windscreen damage round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 91,333, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
1,663 occurrences · 4.8% of tests
- 02
A tyre cords visible or damaged
1,257 occurrences · 3.6% of tests
- 03
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
1,032 occurrences · 3.0% of tests
- 04
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
953 occurrences · 2.8% of tests
- 05
A tyre seriously damaged
614 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 06
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
561 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 07
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
529 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 08
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
490 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
- 09
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
487 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
- 10
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
485 occurrences · 1.4% 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
£200–£430
If every one of this Alhambra'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.
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
But what if we told you that the SEAT Alhambra is just as cheap to run, offered the same commanding driving position and is infinitely more practical than the majority of SUVs on sale today? Would you be prepared to look beyond the slightly drab styling?
Where it falls short
All models are well-equipped, but we’d recommend one with electric sliding doors. We’d also suggest opting for the 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine, especially if you intend to travel ‘seven-up’ on a regular basis. If you can stretch to a facelift model, introduced in October 2015, even better. You’ll enjoy an improved cabin, enhanced safety equipment, an updated infotainment system and better fuel economy.
Buying or keeping a Alhambra?
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 a Alhambra 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.