CarCostCheck

SEAT ALHAMBRA (2021)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 75 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,787

£149/month

MOT Pass Rate

73%

Average

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1968cc Diesel

Check Carefully

73% pass rate, £1787/year to run. 9 points below average.

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Diesel1968cc5 years old75 tests28k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1968cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£1,787
Per month£149/mo
Per week£34/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

73% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 9 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the SEAT brand average of 85%.

At 5 years old, 73% of SEAT ALHAMBRAs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 75 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 27,872 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 cars3359th of 3,373(top 100%)
Rank among SEAT models263th of 311(top 85%)
vs national average-9%(82% avg)
vs 2021 cars average-19%(92% avg)
vs SEAT average-12%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

27,872

Average miles

vs

37,000

Expected for age

The average 2021 SEAT ALHAMBRA has 27,872 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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 2021 sits between the two at 73%.

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 2021 SEAT ALHAMBRA

The 2021 SEAT ALHAMBRA is a family car with a 1968cc diesel engine. 75 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 100% of 2021 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 27,872 miles at 5 years old, SEAT ALHAMBRA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2021 SEAT ALHAMBRA Fuel Costs

The 1968cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2021 SEAT ALHAMBRA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,787 149/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 73% 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 2021 SEAT ALHAMBRA

At 5 years old, the SEAT ALHAMBRA offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 88%. Note: with only 75 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2021 SEAT ALHAMBRA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Medium risk

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Low risk

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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 2021 SEAT ALHAMBRA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
SEAT ALHAMBRA(2021)73%£1037£195Grp 18-32£1787
FORD FOCUS(2019)89%£905£190Grp 12-25£1500-£287
FORD KUGA(2019)91%£1037£190Grp 18-32£1482-£305
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2019)89%£905£190Grp 12-25£1500-£287
FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM(2019)87%£1037£190Grp 18-32£1632-£155

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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