Seat

Seat Alhambra (2010)

547 real MOT outcomes analysed • 75.1% first-time pass rate

2010 Seat Alhambra

CarHunch analysed 547 real MOT records for the 2010 Seat Alhambra. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2010 SEAT ALHAMBRA falls below the UK average with a 75.1% first-time pass rate, and nearly half of these vehicles (45.5%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significant concern for buyers. This diesel-only cohort shows consistent reliability struggles, not just weak first-time results.

These Alhambrahs are running at typical mileage for their age (median 95,552 miles), but the high advisory count of 26.9 per vehicle reveals that small faults are accumulating steadily. With an average of 4.16 failures per test, focus your inspection on the suspension, braking system, and emissions kit—and insist on a full service history before committing to purchase.

The 2010 Seat Alhambra has a decent first-time pass rate (75.1%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.
First-time pass
75.1%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
45.5%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
4.16
Over 15.8 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
96k
Middle half: 78k–117k
For context
🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 26.9 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.
🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 547 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 547 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 58.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Brake wear 45.3%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Suspension & steering 29.3%
Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement · Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement · Offside Rear Coil spring corroded
Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.
Other issues 28.1%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2010.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 547 Seat Alhambra cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2010 Seat Alhambra

Based on MOT data from 547 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 45.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (99%) 542 75.1% 4.16

Colour Breakdown

Based on 54,022 Seat Alhambra vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 29.7%
16,060
Blue 19%
10,291
Black 15.7%
8,485
Grey 13.1%
7,097
Red 11.3%
6,084
Green 4.8%
2,598
White 4.7%
2,560
Brown 1.5%
813
Yellow 0%
12
Turquoise 0%
10
Orange 0%
7
Maroon 0%
5

Mileage Distribution

Most 2010 Seat Alhambra vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

95,552
typical
78,163
low mileage
116,945
high mileage

Half of all 2010 Seat Alhambra vehicles fall between 78,163 and 116,945 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 78,163 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
78,163–116,945 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2010 Seat Alhambras sit.
Over 157,875 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2010 Seat Alhambra — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 57% of 2010 Seat Alhambras are still active.

293 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 57% of the peak remain.

510 293 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

15.8
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
4.16
Avg failures per vehicle
26.9
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Seat Alhambra: All Alhambra years → Which year to buy? →
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

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Compare with another model

See how the 2010 Seat Alhambra stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing