2006 SEAT Alhambra 2.0L Diesel · HW06 EPE

The 2006 SEAT Alhambra passed its most recent MOT on 13 May 2026 at 153,387 miles, yet the maintenance trend is clearly worsening. The tester flagged both nearside and offside outer constant velocity boots as severely deteriorated and splitting, a direct repeat of the same defect recorded in the 2025 test at 145,531 miles. This indicates a chronic failure pattern where degraded boots have been left unreplaced across consecutive annual tests, risking ingress of dirt and moisture into the CV joints themselves. A clean bill of health in March 2023 at 138,584 miles makes the subsequent deterioration more pronounced, suggesting the current owner has allowed basic drivetrack sealing to lapse over the past three years. The mileage accumulation is broadly typical for a twenty-year-old vehicle. Between the March 2023 test at 138,584 miles and the May 2026 test at 153,387 miles, the vehicle covered 14,803 miles across just over three years, averaging roughly 4,600 miles per annum in that window. That is lower than the lifetime average of approximately 7,669 miles per year, which may reflect lighter recent use or extended periods of standing. There are no glaring gaps in the test record, with annual tests filed consistently from 2023 onward, so the odometer reading appears credible against the documented history. The recurring CV boot failures demand close physical inspection. A buyer should examine both outer drive shaft joints for play, clicking under load, and evidence of grease contamination on the inner wheel arch and suspension components. If the boots have been split for a full year or more, the joints themselves may already be compromised and require replacement rather than simple boot renewal. The 2023 failure for a missing nearside front steering rack gaiter raises a separate concern. That gaiter should be inspected for correct fitting and the steering rack checked for corrosion or fluid loss, as a missing gaiter on a twenty-year-old vehicle often points to prior neglect of rubber protective covers across the front end. Tyre wear patterns also warrant attention. The offside rear tyre appeared on the legal limit in both 2024 and 2025, and the offside front tyre showed inner edge wear in 2025. Asymmetric wear on the rear suggests possible tracking misalignment or worn rear suspension bushes, which should be checked with a pry bar during any pre-purchase inspection. Given the age and the pattern of deferred drivetrain and steering rubber components, a thorough underbody examination for corrosion, particularly on subframes and inner wing seams, is advisable before committing to purchase.