2011 SEAT Alhambra — MOT failures & pass rate
8,006 MOT tests on the 2011 SEAT Alhambra are in this dataset, and 76.5% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail at 24.3%, so the 2011 Alhambra sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 12.6% of all tests — 3.9 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, malfunction indicator lamp and linkage ball joint dust cover — pins and bushes alone was recorded 637 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 22.8% versus 16.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 12.6% | 1,012 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 701 |
| 3 | Tyres | 7.2% | 580 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 412 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.4% | 271 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.8% | 148 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 637 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 361 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 350 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 283 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 252 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 209 |
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 | 37.3% | 2,983 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.9% | 2,471 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.5% | 1,642 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.3% | 982 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.1% | 488 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.5% | 359 |
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 | 377 | 16.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,554 | 23.4% |
| 90-120k | 2,535 | 24.1% |
| 120-150k | 1,962 | 24.5% |
| 150k+ | 1,568 | 22.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,790 | 23.5% |
| Petrol | 216 | 21.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,680 | 23.2% |
| 2022 | 1,668 | 23.9% |
| 2023 | 1,632 | 23.6% |
| 2024 | 1,550 | 23.6% |
| 2025 | 1,476 | 23.0% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Alhambra
On a 2011 Alhambra, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (12.6% 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 (8.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (7.2% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2011 SEAT Alhambras pass their MOT?
76.5% of the 8,006 2011 SEAT Alhambra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 SEAT Alhambra?
Suspension, recorded in 12.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (8.8%).
Does the 2011 Alhambra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.4% in the 30-60k band to 22.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,006 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.