Seat Alhambra (2005)
2005 Seat Alhambra
CarHunch analysed 1,955 real MOT records for the 2005 Seat Alhambra. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2005 SEAT ALHAMBRA has a first-time pass rate of 69.9%, which sits 10 percentage points below the UK average of 80%—a meaningful gap that reflects genuine durability concerns. More worrying is that 42.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect at some point, well above acceptable levels and a serious red flag for any prospective buyer.
With a median mileage of 107,657 miles for a 19-year-old vehicle, these Alhambraas are running at typical wear-and-tear levels, yet they're averaging 5.49 failures and 33.2 advisories per MOT test—indicating widespread mechanical and safety issues across the fleet. Before purchasing one, budget for suspension and braking work as a near-certainty, get a full pre-purchase inspection focused on structural rust and the transmission, and factor £1,500–2,000 into your first-year costs.
What to check before buying a 2005 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.
- ⚠️ 42.5% 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 (97%) | 1,897 | 69.9% | 5.49 |
| Petrol (3%) | 55 | 70% | 5.25 |
| LPG (0%) | 2 | 67.4% | 6 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 61.9% | 8 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2005 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 2005 Seat Alhambra vehicles fall between 88,510 and 129,978 miles.
2005 Seat Alhambra — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 184 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (11% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2005 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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95.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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93.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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65.5%
Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment
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61.7%
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment
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57.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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57.4%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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47.2%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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43.9%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Seat Alhambra?
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