2007 SEAT Alhambra — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 SEAT Alhambra passed 66.5% of its 3,649 recorded MOT tests. Against MPVs of a similar age (29.0% fail rate), the 2007 Alhambra comes out 4.4pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 20.9% of tests against 17.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, position lamp and joints — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 527 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 26.8% in the 30-60k band and 34.3% in the 150k+ band, a 7.5-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 45.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 20.9% | 762 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 635 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.6% | 534 |
| 4 | Brakes | 12.6% | 460 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.9% | 252 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.8% | 212 |
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 | 527 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 340 |
| 3 | Joints | 302 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 251 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 231 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 217 |
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 | 45.6% | 1,665 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.6% | 1,153 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.9% | 1,093 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.2% | 848 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.8% | 648 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.5% | 418 |
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 | 56 | 26.8% |
| 60-90k | 304 | 27.6% |
| 90-120k | 885 | 33.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,211 | 34.7% |
| 150k+ | 1,180 | 34.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,435 | 33.4% |
| Petrol | 214 | 34.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,054 | 32.3% |
| 2022 | 896 | 34.4% |
| 2023 | 734 | 33.8% |
| 2024 | 562 | 34.7% |
| 2025 | 403 | 32.3% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Alhambra
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 20.9% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (20.9% 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 (17.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (14.6% 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 2007 SEAT Alhambras pass their MOT?
66.5% of the 3,649 2007 SEAT Alhambra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 SEAT Alhambra?
Suspension, recorded in 20.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (17.4%).
Does the 2007 Alhambra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.8% in the 30-60k band to 34.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,649 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.