SEAT Altea XL (2010)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 187 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,227

£186/month

MOT Pass Rate

72%

Average

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1896cc Diesel

Check Carefully

72% pass rate, £2,227/year to run. 10 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific SEAT Altea XL

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Diesel1896cc16 years old187 tests124k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1896cc)

~48 mpg

£1,397

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,227

Per month£186/mo

Per week£43/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

72% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 10 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the SEAT brand average of 85%.

72% of MOT tests on SEAT Altea XLs from 2010 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 14 years old. That's based on 187 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 124,273 miles.

Got a SEAT Altea XL you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2010 models458th of 558(bottom 19%)

Rank among SEAT models269th of 310(bottom 14%)

vs average of all models-10%(82% avg)

vs 2010 models average-3%(75% avg)

vs SEAT average-13%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

124,273

Average miles

103,600

Expected for age

The average 2010 SEAT Altea XL had 124,273 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 103,600 miles for a 14-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

Looking at a specific SEAT Altea XL?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2013 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 80%, while the 2007 model has the lowest at 68%. The 2010 scores 72%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

SEAT Altea XL by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2014	80%	132	86,546 mi
2013	80%	436	91,157 mi
2012	77%	175	97,118 mi
2011	77%	195	107,823 mi
2010	72%	187	124,273 mi
2009	70%	298	128,960 mi
2008	69%	509	128,641 mi
2007	68%	353	128,166 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2012 · 1399cc Diesel

£1,944/year

75%

+3%

Volkswagen Golf

2012 · 1896cc Diesel

£2,077/year

80%

+8%

Vauxhall Astra

2010 · 1910cc Diesel

£2,227/year

74%

+2%

Volkswagen Polo

2010 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,944/year

74%

+2%

Check a Specific SEAT Altea XL

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2010 SEAT Altea XL

The 2010 SEAT Altea XL is a family car. Our records list a 1896cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 187 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 19% of 2010 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 124,273 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, SEAT Altea XL owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2010 SEAT Altea XL Fuel Costs

The 1896cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,397 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; 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 2010 SEAT Altea XL?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,227 (£186/month), broken down as £1,397 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 72% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

SEAT Altea XL Reliability Trend

Newer SEAT Altea XLs pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 9 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2010 SEAT Altea XL

At 16 years old, the SEAT Altea XL 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 2013 model has the highest pass rate at 80%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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

Watch out

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

EGR Valve

Watch out

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

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 124k 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.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

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 2010 SEAT Altea XL stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
SEAT Altea XL(2010)	72%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227
Ford Fiesta(2012)	75%	£1,219	£170	Grp 8-20	£1,944-£283
Volkswagen Golf(2012)	80%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,077-£150
Vauxhall Astra(2010)	74%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227same
Volkswagen Polo(2010)	74%	£1,219	£170	Grp 12-25	£1,944-£283

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2010 SEAT Altea XL

Is the 2010 SEAT Altea XL reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 72% of MOT tests on 2010 SEAT Altea XLs ended in a pass, from 187 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 10 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2010 SEAT Altea XL cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,227 a year (£186 a month): £1,397 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2010 SEAT Altea XL?

72% of 187 MOT tests on the 2010 SEAT Altea XL ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 458th of 558 models first registered in 2010 (bottom 19%).

Which year SEAT Altea XL has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2013 SEAT Altea XL has the highest MOT pass rate at 80% and the 2007 the lowest at 68%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2010 SEAT Altea XL?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2010 SEAT Altea XL is 124,273 miles, which is in line with the expected 103,600 miles for a 14-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.