Seat Altea (2009)
2009 Seat Altea
CarHunch analysed 2,385 real MOT records for the 2009 Seat Altea. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2009 SEAT ALTEA falls below the UK average with a 75.5% first-time pass rate, and nearly half of these vehicles (48.7%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significant concern for buyers weighing safety and repair costs. Petrol and diesel variants perform almost identically, so fuel type won't be the deciding factor here.
These Alteas are running at typical mileage for their age (median 81,032 miles), but they're racking up serious maintenance issues: an average of 4 failures and 21 advisories per test suggests chronic wear across multiple systems rather than isolated problems. If you're considering one, budget for comprehensive pre-purchase inspection and expect ongoing costs—this isn't a low-maintenance buy.
What to check before buying a 2009 Seat Altea
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.
- ⚠️ 48.7% 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 Altea
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (80%) | 1,904 | 75.5% | 4.07 |
| Petrol (20%) | 481 | 75.6% | 4.15 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2009 Seat Altea 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 2009 Seat Altea vehicles fall between 64,358 and 98,640 miles.
2009 Seat Altea — Still on the Road
1,139 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 50% of the peak remain.
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 — 2009 Seat Altea
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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63.1%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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62.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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59.7%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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45.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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45.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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37.2%
Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
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35.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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34.1%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Seat Altea?
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