2005 SEAT Alhambra — MOT failures & pass rate
2,923 MOT tests on the 2005 SEAT Alhambra are in this dataset, and 67.5% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (30.0% fail rate), the 2005 Alhambra comes out 2.6pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 21.2% of tests against 18.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, joints and position lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 422 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 27.2% in the 60-90k band and 31.8% in the 150k+ band, a 4.6-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 49.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 21.2% | 620 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 527 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.1% | 470 |
| 4 | Brakes | 14.8% | 432 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.8% | 199 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.6% | 164 |
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 | 422 |
| 2 | Joints | 293 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 269 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 249 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 222 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 177 |
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 | 49.2% | 1,439 |
| 2 | Suspension | 48.2% | 1,408 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.5% | 891 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 25.6% | 749 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.6% | 573 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.2% | 326 |
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 | 169 | 27.2% |
| 90-120k | 466 | 32.0% |
| 120-150k | 974 | 34.5% |
| 150k+ | 1,294 | 31.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,849 | 32.5% |
| Petrol | 72 | 31.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,002 | 33.0% |
| 2022 | 768 | 32.8% |
| 2023 | 536 | 32.3% |
| 2024 | 359 | 30.9% |
| 2025 | 258 | 32.6% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Alhambra
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 21.2% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (21.2% 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 (18.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (16.1% 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 2005 SEAT Alhambras pass their MOT?
67.5% of the 2,923 2005 SEAT Alhambra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 SEAT Alhambra?
Suspension, recorded in 21.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (18.0%).
Does the 2005 Alhambra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.2% in the 60-90k band to 31.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,923 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.