SEAT Altea reliability, MPG and running costs
Figures updated
The SEAT Altea is a car. In 2024 MOT tests it scored 99 for reliability (100 is average), ranking 262 of 442, and 41.5% failed first time against a UK average of 28.5%. Its most common MOT failure is coil spring (5.9% of tests).
Ranked 262 of 442 cars in the 2024 MOT Reliability League
In 2024, 14,540 SEAT Alteas aged 3 to 20 had an MOT and 41.5% failed first time (UK average 28.5%). Taking age and mileage into account, the SEAT Altea is about as likely to fail as the average car of the same age and mileage.
First-time fail rate
41.5%
UK 28.5%
Fail rate at 3 years
–
UK 12.7%
Average miles a year
7,900
Typical age at test: 14 years
SEAT Altea MOT failure rate by age
Most common SEAT Altea MOT faults
- Coil spring: fractured or broken5.9% of tests
- Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.8% of tests
- Stop lamp: not working4.2% of tests
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.7% of tests
- Service brake performance: excessively binding3.6% of tests
- Position lamp: not working3.5% of tests
What the SEAT Altea fails on
| Area | Tests failing | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 17.1% | About average |
| Lights and electrics | 16.8% | ▼ 12% less often |
| Brakes | 12.6% | ▲ 1.1× as often |
| Body and structure | 8.5% | ▲ 1.3× as often |
| Tyres | 8.4% | About average |
| Exhaust and emissions | 6.2% | ▲ 1.1× as often |
| Visibility | 5.5% | ▼ 12% less often |
| Seat belts and airbags | 3.0% | ▲ 1.6× as often |
| Steering | 1.5% | ▼ 59% less often |
| Wheels | 0.5% | ▼ 23% less often |
What MPG does the SEAT Altea do?
Official economy for the SEAT Altea ranges from 31 to 62.8mpg across the 87 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2006–2015). A typical petrol version manages 43.5mpg and a typical diesel 57.6mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
Work out a journey's fuel costHow much is road tax on a SEAT Altea?
Any SEAT Altea first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A SEAT Altea registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £35 to £445 a year.
Work out tax for a specific carSEAT Altea specs and running costs
Official figures for 87 versions sold in the UK between 2006 and 2015.
Fuel types
Diesel, Petrol
Official economy
31.0–62.8 mpg
CO2
119–218 g/km
| Version | Fuel | Economy | CO2 | Car tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altea 1.6 CR TDI 105PS EcomotiveM5 · listed 2015 | Diesel | 62.8 mpg | 119g | £35 |
| Altea 1.6 CR TDI 105PS with 7speed DSGD7 · listed 2015 | Diesel | 57.6 mpg | 129g | £170 |
| Altea 2.0 CR TDI 140PSM6 · listed 2015 | Diesel | 57.6 mpg | 129g | £170 |
| Altea 2.0 CR TDI 140PS DSGD6 · listed 2015 | Diesel | 51.4 mpg | 144g | £225 |
| Altea XL 1.6 CR TDI 105PS 7speed DSGD7 · listed 2015 | Diesel | 57.6 mpg | 129g | £170 |
| Altea XL 1.6 CR TDI 105PS EcomotiveM5 · listed 2015 | Diesel | 62.8 mpg | 119g | £35 |
| Altea XL 2.0 CR TDI 140PSM6 · listed 2015 | Diesel | 57.6 mpg | 129g | £170 |
| Altea XL 2.0 CR TDI 140PS DSGD6 · listed 2015 | Diesel | 51.4 mpg | 144g | £225 |
| Altea 1.2 TSI 105PS Stop-StartM6 · listed 2015 | Petrol | 49.6 mpg | 132g | £200 |
| Altea 1.4 85PSM5 · listed 2015 | Petrol | 43.5 mpg | 152g | £275 |
| Altea 1.4 TSI 125PSM6 · listed 2015 | Petrol | 43.5 mpg | 152g | £275 |
| Altea XL 1.2 TSI 105PS Stop-StartM6 · listed 2015 | Petrol | 49.6 mpg | 132g | £200 |
| Altea XL 1.4 TSI 125PSM6 · listed 2015 | Petrol | 43.5 mpg | 152g | £275 |
| Altea 1.6 CR TDI 105PS EcomotiveManual · listed 2014 | Diesel | 62.8 mpg | 119g | £35 |
| Altea XL 1.6 CR TDI 105PS EcomotiveManual · listed 2014 | Diesel | 62.8 mpg | 119g | £35 |
Economy and CO2 are official NEDC (before 2018) or WLTP figures. Car tax is the yearly rate at current rates for a car first registered in the year listed, before any expensive car supplement. Showing the 15 most recent of 87 versions.
What a SEAT Altea costs to fuel
- petrol, typical official 43.5mpg…
- diesel, typical official 57.6mpg…
Official figures are usually 10–15% better than real-world driving.
Work out a journey in a SEAT AlteaBuying a used SEAT Altea?
Check the MOT history of the exact car: every result, advisory and mileage reading, free.
Other SEAT models
Frequently asked questions
›Is the SEAT Altea reliable?
Its MOT record is about average: the SEAT Altea is about as likely to fail as the average car of the same age and mileage, with a reliability score of 99 in our 2024 league (100 is average).
›What are common problems with the SEAT Altea?
The most common MOT fault is “Coil spring: fractured or broken”, found in 5.9% of tests. It fails on seat belts and airbags more often than similar cars.
›What MPG does the SEAT Altea do?
Official economy for the SEAT Altea ranges from 31 to 62.8mpg across the 87 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2006–2015). A typical petrol version manages 43.5mpg and a typical diesel 57.6mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.
›How much is road tax on a SEAT Altea?
Any SEAT Altea first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A SEAT Altea registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £35 to £445 a year.
›How many SEAT Alteas fail their MOT?
41.5% of SEAT Alteas aged 3 to 20 failed their MOT first time in 2024.
Sources: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024, all versions of the SEAT Altea combined (Open Government Licence v3.0); official economy and CO2 from Vehicle Certification Agency data, © Crown copyright. VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy. How we calculate the league.