2007 SEAT Altea 1.6L Petrol · AX07 ABV

A clear pattern of rear suspension wear has emerged across the MOT history of this 19 year old SEAT Altea, culminating in a Major failure on 3 September 2025 for a fractured nearside rear coil spring. The same inspection date also recorded advisories on the nearside and offside rear suspension arms for corrosion not yet seriously weakening them, alongside a deteriorated but still legible rear registration plate and slight perish cracking on the offside rear tyre. These advisories were present on both the failed test and the subsequent pass recorded the same day, indicating the coil spring was replaced but the underlying corrosion and tyre condition were left unaddressed. Looking further back, the 2022 test already flagged both rear suspension arm pins or bushes as worn, and by 2024 the offside rear service brake was binding slightly, with corrosion appearing on both rear brake hose ferrules, suggesting a progressive deterioration of rear axle components rather than isolated incidents. Despite this cluster of rear end concerns, the front end and braking system have remained largely free of recorded defects, with the 2023 test passing entirely clean. The recorded mileage of 54,556 miles across approximately 19 years equates to an annual accumulation of around 2,870 miles, which is substantially below the typical usage rate for a vehicle of this age and class. Such low mileage over a long ownership period can indicate extended periods of standing rather than consistent light use, which carries its own mechanical implications. Rubber components including suspension bushes, brake hoses, drive belts and tyres can harden and perish without regular loading, while brake discs and calipers can suffer from surface corrosion and seizing when rarely exercised. The repeated advisories on rear suspension bushes, brake hose ferrules and rear tyre perishing are consistent with this kind of low use, age related deterioration, even where individual annual mileages have been modest. No significant gaps in the testing record are evident, with tests recorded annually back to 2022, providing reasonable continuity of inspection data. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is confirming that the fractured rear coil spring was replaced with a quality component and that the surrounding suspension has been thoroughly inspected, since a broken coil spring often indicates the neighbouring springs and dampers have also been under stress. Both rear suspension arms were flagged for corrosion in 2025, and given this is a 2007 vehicle, it is prudent to closely examine the rear axle, subframe mounting points and trailing arm bushes for any advanced rust that may soon exceed advisory thresholds. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the rear over speed humps and uneven surfaces, as worn bushes and corroded arms can produce audible slack. The advisories on binding rear brake and corroded ferrules from 2024 should prompt a check that the rear calipers are sliding freely, that there is no pulling under braking, and that the brake pedal feels firm without any sponginess suggesting hose deterioration. Finally, the slight perish cracking noted on the nearside rear tyre in 2024 and the offside rear tyre in 2025 indicates ageing rubber that warrants close inspection of tread depth, sidewall condition and any bulging or cracking across all four tyres, particularly as age related deterioration can affect tyres with plenty of tread left. The deteriorated registration plate should also be addressed to avoid future test failure, although this is a minor item. Prospective buyers should also verify that the replacement coil spring work was accompanied by a check of the front tyres, given no front end defects have been recorded historically, and confirm the timing belt replacement history for the 1.6 or 2.0 litre petrol units commonly fitted to this model, as a 19 year old vehicle will be well beyond standard replacement intervals. A pre-purchase inspection on a ramp remains advisable to assess the true extent of rear underbody corrosion before committing to purchase.