2013 SEAT Altea — MOT failures & pass rate
9,358 MOT tests on the 2013 SEAT Altea are in this dataset, and 79.6% of them passed. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (20.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.2%) and suspension (8.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, coil spring and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 599 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.7% in the 0-30k band and 24.7% in the 150k+ band, a 13.0-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 28.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 17.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.2% | 952 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.7% | 813 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.8% | 635 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.9% | 550 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 234 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.1% | 192 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 599 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 478 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 278 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 263 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 237 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 231 |
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 | 28.1% | 2,625 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.3% | 2,271 |
| 3 | Suspension | 19.3% | 1,809 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.1% | 944 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.6% | 804 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.9% | 551 |
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 | 188 | 11.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,936 | 15.4% |
| 60-90k | 3,708 | 19.8% |
| 90-120k | 2,350 | 24.0% |
| 120-150k | 809 | 24.2% |
| 150k+ | 364 | 24.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 9,135 | 20.4% |
| Petrol | 223 | 20.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,901 | 17.6% |
| 2022 | 1,940 | 19.6% |
| 2023 | 1,890 | 20.1% |
| 2024 | 1,838 | 21.6% |
| 2025 | 1,789 | 23.2% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Altea
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.7% 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.
- Tyres (6.8% 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 2013 SEAT Alteas pass their MOT?
79.6% of the 9,358 2013 SEAT Altea MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 SEAT Altea?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.2% of tests, followed by suspension (8.7%).
Does the 2013 Altea get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.7% in the 0-30k band to 24.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,358 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.