2006 SEAT Alhambra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,317 MOT tests, the 2006 SEAT Alhambra recorded a 67.2% pass rate. That is 3.2 percentage points worse than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 29.6%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (20.3%) and lighting & signalling (17.5%) 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 448 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 38.5% in the 30-60k band and 32.9% in the 150k+ band, a 5.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 45.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 33.7% in 2021 to 30.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 20.3% | 673 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 580 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.4% | 510 |
| 4 | Brakes | 14.2% | 470 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.6% | 218 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.3% | 144 |
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 | 448 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 313 |
| 3 | Joints | 266 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 243 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 203 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 190 |
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 | 45.4% | 1,505 |
| 2 | Brakes | 39.8% | 1,320 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.5% | 978 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 24.9% | 827 |
| 5 | Other defects | 18.1% | 602 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.9% | 329 |
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 | 39 | 38.5% |
| 60-90k | 229 | 32.8% |
| 90-120k | 704 | 33.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,007 | 32.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,330 | 32.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,177 | 32.9% |
| Petrol | 140 | 31.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,071 | 33.7% |
| 2022 | 856 | 32.7% |
| 2023 | 651 | 33.5% |
| 2024 | 445 | 31.2% |
| 2025 | 294 | 30.9% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Alhambra
On a 2006 Alhambra, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (20.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (17.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (15.4% 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 2006 SEAT Alhambras pass their MOT?
67.2% of the 3,317 2006 SEAT Alhambra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 SEAT Alhambra?
Suspension, recorded in 20.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (17.5%).
Does the 2006 Alhambra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 38.5% in the 30-60k band to 32.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,317 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.