Seat Alhambra (2001)
2001 Seat Alhambra
CarHunch analysed 2,903 real MOT records for the 2001 Seat Alhambra. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2001 Seat Alhambra passes its MOT first time in only 67.8% of cases, well below the UK average of 80%, and nearly 29% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significant safety concern for buyers. Petrol and diesel versions perform almost identically (68.3% and 67.7% pass rates respectively), so fuel type won't be your deciding factor here.
At 114,500 miles median, these nearly quarter-century-old MPVs are showing their age, and the average vehicle racks up 4.8 failures per test plus 24.5 advisories, pointing to cumulative wear across multiple systems. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on suspension, braking, and steering components, since the sheer volume of defects suggests these vans need scrupulous maintenance to keep roadworthy.
What to check before buying a 2001 Seat Alhambra
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 28.8% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Seat Alhambra
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (76%) | 2,211 | 67.7% | 4.95 |
| Petrol (23%) | 681 | 68.3% | 4.43 |
| LPG (0%) | 10 | 70.6% | 5.4 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 63.6% | 4 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2001 Seat Alhambra vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2001 Seat Alhambra vehicles fall between 96,358 and 136,140 miles.
2001 Seat Alhambra — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 128 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 (7% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2021.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2001 Seat Alhambra
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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100.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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97.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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75%
Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment
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73.7%
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment
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63.1%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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62.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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61.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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61.2%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2001. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Seat Alhambra?
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