2010 SEAT Altea S TDI 89 1.9L Diesel · RHZ 6645

The Seat Altea’s most recent MOT history shows a stable but irregular pattern of compliance, with the vehicle passing clean tests in October 2025 and September 2024, yet failing twice without recorded defects in August 2024 and October 2025. The absence of any advisories or defects across all five tests—despite the failures—suggests the car meets minimum legal standards but may have been presented for test shortly after minor issues were addressed. The October 2025 pass at 167,388 miles, just 337 miles after the prior fail, implies a rapid rectification of a non-structural issue, likely a consumable or minor adjustment. No recurring advisories indicate chronic neglect, though the repeated failures without explanation raise questions about whether the tester flagged something not recorded in the official history. Mileage accumulation aligns closely with typical usage for a 16-year-old vehicle, averaging around 10,462 miles per year—a figure consistent with moderate but not excessive driving. The gap between the June 2023 pass (155,467 miles) and the next test in September 2024 (163,851 miles) covers roughly 8,384 miles over 15 months, suggesting the car was driven regularly without prolonged inactivity. The most recent 3,537 miles between the October 2024 fail and the October 2025 pass occurred over just 12 months, indicating recent use without any signs of abuse. The lack of major mileage spikes or prolonged dormancy reduces concerns over suspension wear or seized components, though typical high-mileage items will still require scrutiny. For a buyer, the absence of defects in the MOT record does not eliminate the need for a thorough pre-purchase inspection. Given the car’s age and mileage, priority should be given to the suspension—particularly the front lower arms, rear coil springs, and anti-roll bar bushes—for signs of wear or corrosion. The brakes should be checked for uneven pad thickness, seized calipers, or glazed discs, especially since the failures lacked recorded details that might have hinted at binding or fluid leaks. Structural integrity remains a key concern; inspect the sills, wheel arches, and underbody for corrosion, as rust in these areas can compromise safety without showing up in an MOT. Finally, verify the exhaust system for leaks or excessive vibration, and confirm the condition of the clutch and gearbox if automatic, as these high-mileage components often fail without prior warning.