All generations and engines together · 24,219 MOT tests in the 2025 data · typical mileage at age 7: 95k
Split by first-registration year. Cars registered in a changeover year can belong to either generation.
Computed from DVSA MOT results, all of Great Britain, 2025. Nothing here is opinion.
Share of tests where each item was recorded. The dark tick is the class average across all tracked models; bars are scaled within each group.
The rows that judge the model rather than its keeper. 14,738 tests in this band.
Tyres, pads and stone chips say more about how the car was driven and maintained than about how it was built.
Owner folklore from forums and the motoring press. Most of it never shows up in an MOT, which is why this section exists at all.
Alhambras with the six-speed DSG can be reluctant to downshift at low speed and jerk or delay when engaging reverse. Owners on Honest John link some cases to a faulty brake light switch confusing the gearbox rather than the unit itself, so it is worth ruling that out before assuming a costly mechatronic problem. Reported at all ages and mileages, no fix is guaranteed and diagnosis varies by dealer.
Owners report the dual mass flywheel wearing out from around 35,000 to 55,000 miles, well short of clutch life on most family cars, showing up as a rattly idle, vibration through the pedals or a knocking noise when pulling away. Replacement means clutch and flywheel together, typically well into four figures. Widely reported by owners but not the subject of a manufacturer TSB or recall.
Diesel Alhambras that went through VW Group's mandatory NOx emissions software fix have subsequently shown turbo failures, EGR valve faults and DPF problems, with some owners reporting a flat-feeling engine afterwards. DPF replacement has been quoted around £2,000. The emissions fix itself was a manufacturer-mandated recall, but SEAT has been reported as reluctant to cover the knock-on turbo and DPF damage under warranty.
On Euro 6 diesels needing AdBlue, the tank heater can fail, bringing on false warning lights and a demand for frequent top-ups even when the tank is not empty. Repair has been quoted at around £700. Only affects AdBlue-equipped diesels from around 2016 on, not the earlier pre-AdBlue diesels or the 1.4 TSI petrol.
Cars fitted with the panoramic sunroof can suffer blocked drain channels, letting water pool and leak into the cabin, usually noticed as damp carpets or a musty smell rather than a dashboard warning. It is a cheap fix if caught early, just clearing the drains, but expensive if left, with water finding its way into wiring and electrics. Reported repeatedly by owners but no manufacturer campaign covers it.
Owners report the ride firming up and knocking or rattling from the front end as bushes, links and mounts age, and Honest John notes cases of unusually rapid or uneven tyre wear that point to suspension geometry moving out of spec rather than just poor alignment from new. Suspension is the standout MOT failure category for this segment, and it tracks with what owners describe: a firm-riding MPV that starts to feel loose and knocky as the miles rack up, well before it throws an obvious warning light.
Built from the two sections above.
Same segment (MPVs), best MOT record first. Compare before you shortlist.