2008 SEAT Alhambra — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 SEAT Alhambra passed 68.2% of its 3,847 recorded MOT tests. Against MPVs of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), the 2008 Alhambra comes out 3.7pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (19.1%) and lighting & signalling (16.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, pins and bushes and joints — position lamp alone was recorded 339 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.4% in the 30-60k band and 31.8% in the 150k+ band, a 9.4-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 43.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.1% | 734 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 16.3% | 626 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.9% | 535 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.3% | 436 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.0% | 232 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.3% | 202 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 339 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 311 |
| 3 | Joints | 306 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 226 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 215 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 175 |
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 | 43.6% | 1,676 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.3% | 1,202 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.3% | 1,051 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.5% | 712 |
| 5 | Other defects | 18.5% | 712 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.6% | 522 |
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 | 85 | 22.4% |
| 60-90k | 323 | 30.3% |
| 90-120k | 883 | 33.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,215 | 31.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,327 | 31.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,748 | 31.9% |
| Petrol | 99 | 30.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,030 | 31.4% |
| 2022 | 923 | 31.3% |
| 2023 | 785 | 33.3% |
| 2024 | 643 | 32.7% |
| 2025 | 466 | 30.5% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Alhambra
On a 2008 Alhambra, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (19.1% 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 (16.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.9% 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 2008 SEAT Alhambras pass their MOT?
68.2% of the 3,847 2008 SEAT Alhambra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 SEAT Alhambra?
Suspension, recorded in 19.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (16.3%).
Does the 2008 Alhambra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.4% in the 30-60k band to 31.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,847 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.