The NCT record
Seat Alhambra
People carrier (MPV). Measured from 15,961 NCT tests in Ireland.
Reliability · measured from test data
Reliability: Well below average
One of the least reliable cars for its age. We'd look at alternatives first.
NCT pass rate: 40% (Well below average for its age)
40 in 100 pass the NCT first time at ten years old. Mechanical faults: 1.58× the average car of the same age.
Version research
Known problems for this version
Based on published reliability sources and recall notices, not NCT data. Answer what you know and the verdict gets firmer.
Checking published reliability sources…
How it holds up with age
More than half still pass first time up to 8 years old — a 2018 or newer is the oldest we would suggest.
| Year | Age | Passes first time | Average car |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 4 | 76% | 82% |
| 2021 | 5 | 74% | 76% |
| 2020 | 6 | 70% | 75% |
| 2019 | 7 | 59% | 67% |
| 2018 | 8 | 58% | 64% |
| 2017 | 9 | 47% | 57% |
| 2016 | 10 | 45% | 53% |
| 2015 | 11 | 37% | 50% |
| 2014 | 12 | 32% | 46% |
| 2013 | 13 | 27% | 42% |
| 2012 | 14 | 24% | 38% |
| 2011 | 15 | 22% | 36% |
| 2010 | 16 | 18% | 35% |
What tends to fail on it
Chassis & body
sills, subframe, suspension mounts, wheel arches for rot
€400–800 for welding corroded structure — up to €2,000 at worst.
Engine, noise & exhaust
smoke on start-up, exhaust leaks and corrosion, engine noise
€100–400 for an exhaust section, or worse — up to €1,000 at worst.
Emissions
DPF and EGR condition, service history, oil quality
€100–400 for a service, or a catalytic converter — up to €1,200 at worst.
Safety equipment
seatbelts, airbag warning light, horn, mirrors, wipers
€50–250 for seatbelts, horn, mirrors, wipers — up to €400 at worst.
What the repairs cost
€115–205 in NCT-related repairs is typical for a car this age. It is a figure for comparing models, not a quote.
Irish garage prices for the common jobs are on the repair costs page.
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Other people carrier (mpv) options
- EOpel Zafira(Well below average)
- EFord Galaxy(Well below average)
- DFord S Max(Below average)
- EPeugeot 5008(Well below average)
- DVolkswagen Touran(Below average)
- ERenault Grand Scenic(Well below average)
Other Seat models
- CSeat Ibiza(About average)
- CSeat Leon(About average)
- ESeat Cordoba(Well below average)
- DSeat Toledo(Below average)
- DSeat Altea(Below average)
- BSeat Ateca(Above average)
See every model we have measured
Where these figures come from
Test and failure figures: National Car Test statistics published by the Road Safety Authority and the National Car Testing Service, 12.5 million tests, 2015 and 2017–2025. Repair prices: Irish garage quotes and The AA Ireland servicing guides, reviewed September 2026 — see our repair cost guide. Motor tax bands: motortax.ie.
Based on published NCT results and typical Irish repair prices for this model and age. It reflects the condition of cars presented for test, not manufacturer build quality, and cannot tell you about a specific vehicle's history. Repair figures are estimates, not quotes.