2016 SEAT Alhambra MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 77.2% of SEAT Alhambras first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. Across 12,546 Alhambra first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, suspension and lamps and electrical equipment.
This page analyses first MOT tests for SEAT Alhambras first used in 2016 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2016 SEAT Alhambra MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Alhambras first used in 2016 against all cars first used in 2016 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Alhambra figure was in line with the all-cars figure.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2016 Alhambra | All cars first used 2016 | Alhambra first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 82.9% | 82.7% | 4,284 |
| 2022 | 81.1% | 80.9% | 4,282 |
| 2023 | 79.4% | 78.6% | 4,267 |
| 2024 | 77.8% | 76.7% | 4,180 |
| 2025 | 77.2% | 74.9% | 4,099 |
Common 2016 SEAT Alhambra MOT failures
Share of the 2,739 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | 19.9% | 546 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 18.6% | 510 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 12.0% | 329 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 8.0% | 220 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 8.0% | 218 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an Alhambra in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension arm replacement | £150 | £120–£180 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2016 SEAT Alhambra before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
Common 2016 SEAT Alhambra MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2016 Alhambras, as a share of all 12,546 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 20.9% | 2,618 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 15.6% | 1,963 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 9.9% | 1,238 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 8.8% | 1,099 |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | 4.8% | 600 |
Questions about the 2016 SEAT Alhambra MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2016 SEAT Alhambra?
In 2025, 77.2% of Alhambras first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2016 Alhambra most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 42.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (28.6%) and lamps and electrical equipment (19.2%). The single most common item was “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn” (19.9%).
How often does a 2016 SEAT Alhambra fail its MOT?
In 2025, 22.8% of first tests on Alhambras first used in 2016 did not pass first time: 18.7% failed, and a further 4.1% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 2,739 of 12,546 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2016 SEAT Alhambra MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 20.9% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (15.6%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (9.9%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (8.8%) and “Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt” (4.8%).
Is a 2016 SEAT Alhambra reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 82.9% in 2021 to 77.2% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2016
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2016 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2016 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2016 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2016 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2016 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
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