2004 SEAT Alhambra — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 SEAT Alhambra passed 66.7% of its 3,656 recorded MOT tests. MPVs of a similar age fail 30.1% of the time, so this is 3.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (21.1%) and lighting & signalling (19.6%) 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, position lamp and joints — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 549 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 33.6% versus 29.0%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 49.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 34.2% in 2021 to 32.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 21.1% | 771 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 19.6% | 715 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.4% | 600 |
| 4 | Brakes | 13.7% | 499 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.6% | 240 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.4% | 235 |
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 | 549 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 351 |
| 3 | Joints | 348 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 313 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 240 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 233 |
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 | 49.8% | 1,822 |
| 2 | Brakes | 46.6% | 1,703 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.8% | 1,089 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.0% | 949 |
| 5 | Other defects | 22.4% | 817 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 548 |
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 | 231 | 29.0% |
| 90-120k | 601 | 31.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,160 | 34.3% |
| 150k+ | 1,627 | 33.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,519 | 33.5% |
| Petrol | 137 | 29.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,314 | 34.2% |
| 2022 | 937 | 32.2% |
| 2023 | 665 | 34.0% |
| 2024 | 446 | 33.0% |
| 2025 | 294 | 32.0% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Alhambra
On a 2004 Alhambra, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (21.1% 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 (19.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (16.4% 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 2004 SEAT Alhambras pass their MOT?
66.7% of the 3,656 2004 SEAT Alhambra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 SEAT Alhambra?
Suspension, recorded in 21.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (19.6%).
Does the 2004 Alhambra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.0% in the 60-90k band to 33.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,656 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.