2017 SEAT Alhambra — MOT failures & pass rate
34,082 MOT tests on the 2017 SEAT Alhambra are in this dataset, and 87.3% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail at 13.6%, so the 2017 Alhambra sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 7.2% of all tests — 3.8 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, tread depth and headlamp aim — pins and bushes alone was recorded 1,562 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2017 Alhambra fails 8.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 11.3% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.6 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 10.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.2% | 2,446 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.4% | 1,155 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.3% | 1,116 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.3% | 793 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.0% | 693 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 374 |
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 | 1,562 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 1,039 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 624 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 556 |
| 5 | Wipers | 551 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 346 |
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 | 25.0% | 8,534 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.0% | 5,457 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.1% | 5,151 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.0% | 3,753 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.0% | 1,027 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 344 |
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 | 4,459 | 8.6% |
| 30-60k | 12,636 | 13.2% |
| 60-90k | 8,266 | 14.8% |
| 90-120k | 3,667 | 13.7% |
| 120-150k | 2,153 | 10.4% |
| 150k+ | 2,900 | 11.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 33,759 | 12.7% |
| Petrol | 323 | 13.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,590 | 10.3% |
| 2022 | 6,800 | 11.9% |
| 2023 | 6,953 | 12.5% |
| 2024 | 6,903 | 14.1% |
| 2025 | 6,836 | 14.5% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Alhambra
On a 2017 Alhambra, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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.
- Suspension (3.4% 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 (3.3% 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 2017 SEAT Alhambras pass their MOT?
87.3% of the 34,082 2017 SEAT Alhambra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 SEAT Alhambra?
Tyres, recorded in 7.2% of tests, followed by suspension (3.4%).
Does the 2017 Alhambra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.6% in the 0-30k band to 11.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 34,082 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.