MOT failure data · 2025
SEAT Altea MOT problems
Across every SEAT Altea that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was coil spring fractured or broken, on 6.81% of failure items. The broadest problem area was suspension at 26.39%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.
Most common SEAT Altea MOT failures
| # | Recorded defect | Area | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring fractured or broken | Suspension | 6.81% |
| 2 | Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Body, chassis, structure | 5.04% |
| 3 | Linkage ball joint dust cover ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Suspension | 4.2% |
| 4 | Condition has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 3.69% |
| 5 | Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 3.52% |
| 6 | Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3.51% |
| 7 | Service brake performance excessively binding | Brakes | 3.21% |
| 8 | Ball joint dust cover ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Suspension | 3.14% |
| 9 | Stop lamp not working | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3.09% |
| 10 | Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 3% |
Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.
What this means if you are buying one
Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a SEAT Altea, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.
The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used SEAT Altea buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.
Checking a specific SEAT Altea?
Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.
Other SEAT models
- SEAT Ibiza MOT problems
- SEAT Leon MOT problems
- SEAT Arona MOT problems
- SEAT Ateca MOT problems
- SEAT Alhambra MOT problems
- SEAT MII MOT problems
SEAT Altea MOT FAQs
What does a SEAT Altea most commonly fail its MOT on?
The single most recorded defect on SEAT Altea cars failing their 2025 MOT was "coil spring fractured or broken", appearing on 6.81% of failure items.
Does this mean my SEAT Altea will fail?
No. This is what testers recorded across every SEAT Altea that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The SEAT Altea passed 66.25% of its initial tests.
How do I see a specific SEAT Altea's MOT history?
Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.
See also: SEAT Altea MOT pass rate · used SEAT Altea buying guide · free MOT history check
Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.