2014 SEAT Alhambra — MOT failures & pass rate
11,559 MOT tests on the 2014 SEAT Alhambra are in this dataset, and 81.0% of them passed. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (19.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (8.9%) and suspension (7.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, tread depth and malfunction indicator lamp — pins and bushes alone was recorded 895 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 13.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 19.0% once past 150k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 29.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 17.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.9% | 1,034 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.5% | 867 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 5.7% | 657 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.3% | 376 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.2% | 370 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.5% | 291 |
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 | 895 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 467 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 336 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 255 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 215 |
| 6 | Wipers | 185 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 29.7% | 3,430 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.5% | 3,057 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.3% | 2,465 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.0% | 1,270 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.4% | 505 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.9% | 452 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 146 | 13.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,664 | 15.9% |
| 60-90k | 3,822 | 18.9% |
| 90-120k | 2,939 | 19.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,450 | 21.2% |
| 150k+ | 1,536 | 19.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,353 | 17.4% |
| 2022 | 2,368 | 18.2% |
| 2023 | 2,329 | 18.9% |
| 2024 | 2,266 | 19.4% |
| 2025 | 2,243 | 21.0% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Alhambra
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 8.9% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (8.9% 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.
- Suspension (7.5% 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 (5.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2014 SEAT Alhambras pass their MOT?
81.0% of the 11,559 2014 SEAT Alhambra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 SEAT Alhambra?
Tyres, recorded in 8.9% of tests, followed by suspension (7.5%).
Does the 2014 Alhambra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.7% in the 0-30k band to 19.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,559 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.