2013 SEAT Altea SE Copa CR TDI Ecomotive 1.6L Heavy oil · AF13 OPN

This SEAT Altea presents a generally clean roadworthiness profile over the past three years of testing, with four passes recorded since 2023, but the most recent entry warrants careful scrutiny. The vehicle failed its MOT on 22 August 2025 then was presented again three days later on 25 August 2025 and passed without any advisories or defects being recorded. That back-to-back failure and immediate re-pass sequence strongly suggests a single specific issue was rectified between the two tests, which is common practice when a tester identifies a fault the owner believes can be remedied on the spot. Without recorded defect details on either test, it is impossible to confirm whether the failure related to something trivial such as a blown bulb or screenwash issue, or something more substantive like a brake or suspension component. Given that the subsequent pass was entirely clean, there is no ongoing defect flagged by DVSA, but a prospective buyer should ask for the failure documentation to understand precisely what triggered the initial refusal. Annual mileage on this Altea averages approximately 13,900 miles, which is high for a thirteen-year-old vehicle and substantially above the typical 7,000 to 9,000 miles per year average for cars of this age. This level of usage implies consistent long-distance or motorway work rather than short urban journeys, which is generally favourable for mechanical longevity as the engine, turbocharger, EGR system and DPF are kept hot and free of internal condensation. However, the higher mileage brings accelerated wear to consumable items including brake discs and pads, clutch components, dual-mass flywheel, suspension bushes and coil springs, plus timing belt service intervals which on the CR TDI engine are critical. The mileage is consistent year on year across the recorded tests, with no anomalous readings or clock-back concerns, indicating a genuine and well-used working vehicle. The advisory history reveals a recurring theme around anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust covers, with both nearside front items flagged as severely deteriorated in 2023 and 2024. This suggests the protective boots have split and allowed moisture and debris ingress to the ball joints themselves, which on a torsion bar or anti-roll bar link is a known failure point that can progress from a minor advisory to an MOT failure once the joint develops play. On a test drive, listen for clonking or rattling noises from the front suspension over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, or during sharp direction changes, and feel for any vagueness or knocking through the steering wheel. The 2024 advisory also noted offside rear tyre cracking and perishing, which combined with age-related rubber degradation means all four tyres should be inspected for sidewall cracking, tread depth across the full width, and even wear patterns indicative of alignment or suspension geometry issues. Front headlamp lens condition has appeared on both the 2023 and 2024 advisories, initially flagged as a product residue and then as slight deterioration, but neither was considered serious enough to reduce light output at the time of test. Given the vehicle's age and continued road use, these lenses are likely to require restoration or replacement to maintain effective beam pattern and pass a future headlight aim test. Other items specifically warrant inspection include a thorough check underneath the vehicle for any oil leaks from the engine or gearbox, signs of corrosion on the subframe, brake pipes and fuel lines, and the condition of the exhaust system particularly around the DPF and turbocharger downpipe area where heat-related fractures are common on high-mileage TDI units. Verify the timing belt replacement history as the CR TDI engine is an interference design and a stretched or snapped belt will destroy the engine, and confirm the clutch bite point and gear selection feel during the test drive given the high mileage accumulated.