CarCostCheck

SEAT ALHAMBRA (2016)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 6,815 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,737

£145/month

MOT Pass Rate

85%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1395cc Petrol

Solid Option

85% pass rate, £1737/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1395cc10 years old6,815 tests107k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1395cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1395cc

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,737
Per month£145/mo
Per week£33/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

85% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 10 years old, 85% of SEAT ALHAMBRAs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 6,815 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 106,522 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 cars393th of 586(top 67%)
Rank among SEAT models178th of 311(top 57%)
vs national average+3%(82% avg)
vs 2016 cars average+0%(85% avg)
vs SEAT average+0%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

106,522

Average miles

vs

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2016 SEAT ALHAMBRA has 106,522 miles on the clock, which is above the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2019 model with a 88% MOT pass rate, while the 2002 model has the lowest at 62%. The 2016 sits between the two at 85%.

SEAT ALHAMBRA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202173%7527,872 mi
202088%1,38038,278 mi
201988%4,39453,999 mi
201888%4,10870,018 mi
201786%9,69986,445 mi
201685%6,815106,522 mi
201582%3,698112,826 mi
201481%3,129110,232 mi
201379%2,677111,898 mi
201276%2,514124,005 mi
201177%2,167127,765 mi
201073%643135,758 mi
200966%615140,976 mi
200867%967143,588 mi
200764%858139,944 mi
200666%642145,145 mi
200567%526149,540 mi
200465%676151,281 mi
200363%393147,953 mi
200262%208142,785 mi
200172%68133,983 mi
199970%40137,426 mi
199866%91142,462 mi
199773%52126,277 mi

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About the 2016 SEAT ALHAMBRA

The 2016 SEAT ALHAMBRA is a small family car with a 1395cc petrol engine. 6,815 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2016, the average MOT pass rate is 85%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 106,522 miles at 10 years old, SEAT ALHAMBRA owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2016 SEAT ALHAMBRA Fuel Costs

The 1395cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2016 SEAT ALHAMBRA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,737 145/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 85% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

SEAT ALHAMBRA Reliability Trend

Newer SEAT ALHAMBRAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 15 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2016 SEAT ALHAMBRA

At 10 years old, the SEAT ALHAMBRA is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 88%. With 6,815 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2016 SEAT ALHAMBRA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 107k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2016 SEAT ALHAMBRA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SEAT ALHAMBRA(2016)85%£1137£195Grp 8-20£1737
FORD FIESTA(2015)81%£955£30Grp 1-8£1390-£347
VAUXHALL CORSA(2015)78%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£15
FORD FOCUS(2014)80%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£60
NISSAN QASHQAI(2017)86%£955£190Grp 5-15£1550-£187

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Seat Models

Explore other Seat cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Seat Alhambra.

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