2002 SEAT Alhambra — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 SEAT Alhambra passed 66.0% of its 1,137 recorded MOT tests. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.9% of the time, so this is 4.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (23.0%) and suspension (22.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 172 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2002 Alhambra fails 30.3% of the time in the 30-60k band and 33.3% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 49.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 23.0% | 262 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.3% | 253 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.7% | 167 |
| 4 | Brakes | 12.9% | 147 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.2% | 71 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.7% | 65 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 172 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 116 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 97 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 85 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 77 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 76 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 49.3% | 560 |
| 2 | Brakes | 48.8% | 555 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.8% | 339 |
| 4 | Other defects | 24.2% | 275 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.3% | 253 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 198 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 33 | 30.3% |
| 60-90k | 56 | 28.6% |
| 90-120k | 220 | 37.3% |
| 120-150k | 328 | 34.2% |
| 150k+ | 492 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,007 | 34.0% |
| Petrol | 130 | 33.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 456 | 33.1% |
| 2022 | 305 | 35.7% |
| 2023 | 181 | 34.8% |
| 2024 | 117 | 31.6% |
| 2025 | 78 | 33.3% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Alhambra
On a 2002 Alhambra, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 23.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (23.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (22.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (14.7% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2002 SEAT Alhambras pass their MOT?
66.0% of the 1,137 2002 SEAT Alhambra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 SEAT Alhambra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.0% of tests, followed by suspension (22.3%).
Does the 2002 Alhambra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.3% in the 30-60k band to 33.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,137 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.