At a Glance
The Seat Alhambra has 37 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the Mk1 (1996-2010) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 479K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Seat Alhambra common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Seat Alhambra generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Most Common Seat Alhambra MOT Failures
Every reason Seat Alhambra vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 9.98% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 9.11% |
| 3 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 7.15% |
| 4 | Exhaust system fault | 6.31% |
| 5 | Tyre condition | 5.98% |
| 6 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 5.35% |
| 7 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.85% |
| 8 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.12% |
| 9 | Driveshaft fault | 2.88% |
| 10 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.64% |
| 11 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.57% |
| 12 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.29% |
| 13 | Stop lamp not working | 2.27% |
| 14 | Ball joint dust cover split | 2.24% |
| 15 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.92% |
| 16 | Position lamp not working | 1.91% |
| 17 | Front lamp not working | 1.75% |
| 18 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 1.52% |
| 19 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.41% |
| 20 | Track rod end worn | 1.34% |
| 21 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.31% |
| 22 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.15% |
| 23 | Fog lamp not working | 1.13% |
| 24 | Chassis condition | 1.01% |
| 25 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.01% |
| 26 | Indicator fault | 0.93% |
| 27 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.91% |
| 28 | Seat belt condition | 0.84% |
| 29 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.83% |
| 30 | Headlamp fault | 0.77% |
| 31 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.76% |
| 32 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.75% |
| 33 | Rear lamp not working | 0.73% |
| 34 | ABS fault | 0.72% |
| 35 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.69% |
| 36 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.61% |
| 37 | Airbag warning light on | 0.60% |
| 38 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.59% |
| 39 | Steering rack fault | 0.47% |
| 40 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.45% |
| 41 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.43% |
| 42 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.31% |
| 43 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.31% |
| 44 | Parking brake condition | 0.29% |
| 45 | Front suspension fault | 0.25% |
| 46 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.25% |
| 47 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.22% |
| 48 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.22% |
| 49 | Horn not working | 0.21% |
| 50 | Rear suspension fault | 0.21% |
| 51 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.21% |
| 52 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.19% |
| 53 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.17% |
| 54 | Brake fluid leak | 0.17% |
| 55 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.16% |
| 56 | Brake caliper fault | 0.16% |
| 57 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.12% |
| 58 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.11% |
| 59 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.11% |
| 60 | Steering operation fault | 0.10% |
| 61 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.09% |
| 62 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.08% |
| 63 | Steering arm worn | 0.08% |
| 64 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.07% |
| 65 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.07% |
| 66 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.07% |
| 67 | Front passenger door fault | 0.06% |
| 68 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.06% |
| 69 | Steering free play excessive | 0.06% |
| 70 | Electrical switch fault | 0.06% |
| 71 | Engine oil leak | 0.05% |
| 72 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.05% |
| 73 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 74 | Propshaft fault | 0.05% |
| 75 | Drag link end worn | 0.05% |
| 76 | Driver airbag fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 78 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.04% |
| 79 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.04% |
| 80 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 81 | Passenger seat fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | Driver seat fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Brake lever fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.03% |
| 86 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 87 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.03% |
| 88 | Brake pedal fault | 0.03% |
| 89 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.03% |
| 90 | Power steering ram fault | 0.03% |
| 91 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.03% |
| 92 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 93 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.02% |
| 94 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 95 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 96 | Steering column fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Brake servo fault | 0.02% |
| 99 | Towbar fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | Steering lock fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Spare wheel fault | 0.02% |
| 103 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 104 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 105 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 107 | CV joint worn | 0.01% |
| 108 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.01% |
| 109 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.01% |
| 110 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 115 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 116 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 119 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 120 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 121 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 122 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 123 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 126 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 130 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 132 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 134 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 135 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 138 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 139 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 140 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 141 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 142 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 150 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 153 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 158 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 159 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 162 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 163 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 164 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 165 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 166 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 167 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 171 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 173 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Chain drive fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 177 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 180 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 182 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 182 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Seat Alhambra MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Seat Alhambra, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Seat Alhambra problems?
Based on analysis of 479K Seat Alhambra MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 37 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Front lamp not working". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Seat Alhambra generation has the most problems?
The Seat Alhambra Mk1 (1996-2010) (1996–2010) has the highest number of identified common problems (37). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Seat Alhambra?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Seat Alhambra owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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