2003 SEAT Alhambra — MOT failures & pass rate
2,366 MOT tests on the 2003 SEAT Alhambra are in this dataset, and 65.6% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (30.1% fail rate), the 2003 Alhambra comes out 4.3pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (21.9%) and lighting & signalling (20.3%) 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 position lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 357 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 27.0% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 35.6% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 50.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 21.9% | 519 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 20.3% | 481 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.2% | 383 |
| 4 | Brakes | 13.7% | 323 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.1% | 192 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.5% | 130 |
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 | 357 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 230 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 211 |
| 4 | Joints | 196 |
| 5 | Steering rack | 174 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 166 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 50.5% | 1,195 |
| 2 | Suspension | 49.5% | 1,172 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.3% | 669 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.6% | 629 |
| 5 | Other defects | 21.7% | 514 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 359 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 141 | 27.0% |
| 90-120k | 367 | 33.5% |
| 120-150k | 694 | 34.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,136 | 35.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,198 | 34.3% |
| Petrol | 168 | 35.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 863 | 35.2% |
| 2022 | 619 | 33.6% |
| 2023 | 433 | 33.7% |
| 2024 | 271 | 34.3% |
| 2025 | 180 | 35.0% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Alhambra
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 21.9% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (21.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (20.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (16.2% 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 2003 SEAT Alhambras pass their MOT?
65.6% of the 2,366 2003 SEAT Alhambra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 SEAT Alhambra?
Suspension, recorded in 21.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (20.3%).
Does the 2003 Alhambra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.0% in the 60-90k band to 35.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,366 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.