Does the Seat Alhambra fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Seat Alhambra records 20.35 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 11.15 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+9.20, 95% interval +8.99 to +9.42). It ranks 75 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Seat Alhambra by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Seat Alhambra is “A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn”, recorded 13,268 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 13,268 | 7.98 |
| The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 5,160 | 3.10 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 4,700 | 2.83 |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 4,279 | 2.57 |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 2,490 | 1.50 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 166,260 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Seat Alhambra gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
20.7% of Seat Alhambra MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 7,096 miles later (24,436 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 24,436 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Seat Alhambra 2001 · Seat Alhambra 2002 · Seat Alhambra 2003 · Seat Alhambra 2004 · Seat Alhambra 2005 · Seat Alhambra 2006 · Seat Alhambra 2007 · Seat Alhambra 2008 · Seat Alhambra 2009 · Seat Alhambra 2010 · Seat Alhambra 2011 · Seat Alhambra 2012 · Seat Alhambra 2013 · Seat Alhambra 2014 · Seat Alhambra 2015 · Seat Alhambra 2016 · Seat Alhambra 2017 · Seat Alhambra 2018 · Seat Alhambra 2019 · Seat Alhambra 2020 · Seat Alhambra in Finland · Seat Alhambra in the Netherlands · Seat Alhambra by postcode area · Seat Alhambra body, chassis and structure failures · Seat Alhambra brakes failures · Seat Alhambra vehicle identification failures · Seat Alhambra lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Seat Alhambra noise, emissions and leaks failures · Seat Alhambra road wheels failures · Seat Alhambra seat belts and airbags failures · Seat Alhambra steering failures · Seat Alhambra tyres failures · Seat Alhambra visibility failures