Dacia
Jogger
MPV · seven seats
- From
- £18,995
- Boot, 7 up
- 212 L
- Length
- 4,550mm
- Isofix
- 2
Used Seat Alhambra 7-seater
Seat's sliding-door people carrier, sold new until 2020, with a third row for grown-ups
- Sold new
- 1996 to 2020
- Boot, 7 seats up
- 267 L
- Seats
- 7
Quick answer
Is the Seat Alhambra a 7-seater?
Yes. The Mk2 Alhambra is a seven-seater, with three individual middle-row seats that tumble forward and two seats in the third row.
A sliding-door people carrier whose third row, carwow says, takes fully grown adults. Choose a manual if you can, as Auto Express rates the DSG automatic as less reliable.
On this page
This Seat Alhambra 7-seater guide covers the second-generation car, sold from 2010 until Seat ended production in March 2020.
Auto Express and carwow agree on 267 litres of boot space with all seven seats up and 2,297 litres with the rear seats folded, and the sliding doors are electric on the top two trims.
Seat Alhambra specifications
| Body | MPV |
|---|---|
| Seats | 7 |
| Seat layout | 2-3-2 |
| Boot, 7 seats up | 267 litres |
| Boot, maximum | 2,297 litres |
| Third row suits | Adults |
| Sliding rear doors | Yes |
| Fuel, with seven seats | Petrol, diesel |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | Manual or automatic |
| Euro NCAP | 5 stars |
Seat Alhambra boot space
- 7 seats up
- 267L
- Maximum
- 2,297L
With all seven seats in use the boot holds 267 litres, 21 litres more than the median for the 4 new MPVs, on sale or coming soon, with a published boot figure. The maximum load space is 2,297 litres.
How it is measured Auto Express and carwow agree on 267 litres with all seven seats up and 2,297 litres with the rear seats folded. No five-seat figure or Seat figure was found.
Third row: who fits?
Third row suitsAdults
carwow says even fully grown adults will be comfortable enough in the third row. Access is helped by middle-row seats that tumble forward with a single lever.
- Seat
- Driver
Isofix and child seats
Isofix points: second-row seats.
Euro NCAP safety rating
5 stars from Euro NCAP. Ratings from different years are not directly comparable, as the tests get tougher over time.
Buying a used Seat Alhambra: what to check
- On cars with a panoramic roof, check for water leaks at the base of the windscreen pillars (Auto Express)
- Front-end rattles usually point to worn suspension drop links (Auto Express)
- Run-flat tyres cost more to replace, so check what is fitted (Auto Express)
- Auto Express says the DSG automatic has not proved as reliable as the manual (Auto Express)
- Low-mileage drivers may be better off with the 1.4 TSI petrol than a diesel with a particulate filter (Auto Express)
On the test drive: open and close both sliding doors several times, especially on the top two trims, where they are electric.
MOT pass rates
First-time MOT pass rates for the Alhambra, by the year each car was first registered, next to the average for all cars of the same age.
- 200251.9%67.2%
- 200352.3%65.7%
- 200455.9%65.3%
- 200559.4%65.5%
- 200657.4%65.6%
- 200756.1%66.5%
- 200857.4%66.5%
- 200955.5%67.9%
- 201065.0%68.8%
- 201169.8%71.0%
- 201269.3%73.3%
- 201374.1%75.6%
- 201477.7%77.9%
- 201578.4%80.5%
- 201682.5%83.1%
- 201784.5%85.7%
- 201887.0%87.9%
- 201987.5%89.8%
- 202087.3%91.3%
| First used | Tests | Pass rate | All cars that age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 158 | 51.9% | 67.2% |
| 2003 | 289 | 52.3% | 65.7% |
| 2004 | 503 | 55.9% | 65.3% |
| 2005 | 384 | 59.4% | 65.5% |
| 2006 | 491 | 57.4% | 65.6% |
| 2007 | 635 | 56.1% | 66.5% |
| 2008 | 709 | 57.4% | 66.5% |
| 2009 | 447 | 55.5% | 67.9% |
| 2010 | 488 | 65.0% | 68.8% |
| 2011 | 1,652 | 69.8% | 71.0% |
| 2012 | 1,937 | 69.3% | 73.3% |
| 2013 | 2,114 | 74.1% | 75.6% |
| 2014 | 2,549 | 77.7% | 77.9% |
| 2015 | 3,005 | 78.4% | 80.5% |
| 2016 | 5,781 | 82.5% | 83.1% |
| 2017 | 8,343 | 84.5% | 85.7% |
| 2018 | 3,616 | 87.0% | 87.9% |
| 2019 | 3,889 | 87.5% | 89.8% |
| 2020 | 1,219 | 87.3% | 91.3% |
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, 2024.
Recalls
The DVSA lists 13 recalls for the Alhambra. The latest 10:
23 July 2025 · Ref R/2025/348 · 2 vehicles
Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement
Urgent Safety Warning – Do Not Drive Your Vehicle Issue: The front airbag in your SEAT vehicle contains an ageing inflator propellant that may explode when deployed due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. Risk: If the airbag inflator explodes metal fragments may be ejected causing life-threatening or fatal injuries to anyone in the vehicle. Immediate Action Required: Stop driving your vehicle immediately. Contact the SEAT Takata Stop Drive helpline at 0113 526 9646 (Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm) to arrange your recall service. Mobility assistance is available if needed.
Remedy: For important safety reasons it is necessary to replace the inflator or driver/passenger seat’s airbag module of your vehicle.
Built 14 March 2011 to 24 May 2017
16 July 2024 · Ref R/2024/285 · 1,810 vehicles
Drivers side front airbag
On affected vehicles a deterioration of the driver airbag propellant could occur. In the event of an accident and the activation of the driver airbag fragments of the generator housing could become detached and injure the vehicle occupants.
Remedy: The driver side front airbag gas generator must be replaced in all affected vehicles.
Built 23 April 2012 to 28 May 2015
10 April 2024 · Ref R/2024/160 · 2,568 vehicles
Driver's side front airbag
On affected vehicles a deterioration of the driver airbag propellant could occur. In the event of an accident and the activation of the driver airbag fragments of the generator housing could become detached and injure the vehicle occupants.
Remedy: The driver side front airbag gas generator must be replaced in all affected vehicles.
Built 7 April 2010 to 29 May 2012
11 September 2023 · Ref R/2023/273 · 8 vehicles
Front driver airbag replacement
In vehicles produced in a specific period with airbags from manufacturer Takata in the event of an accident with airbag activation the driver airbag gas generator housing may explode.�
Remedy: Inspect the driver�s airbag and replace it if necessary.�
Built 10 March 2015 to 7 June 2017
5 December 2019 · Ref R/2019/422 · 1,634 vehicles
A CONDENSER MAY FAIL DUE TO INADEQUATE HEAT TREATMENT IN THE AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT
A condenser may fail because of inadequate heat treatment in the airbag control unit.
Remedy: The Airbag Control Unit must be reprogrammed in all affected vehicles.
Built 21 April 2015 to 11 December 2015
7 March 2018 · Ref R/2018/060 · 1,943 vehicles
STARTER MOTOR MAY MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT
On vehicles with diesel engines and stop/start system the starter motor may be permanently activated because the return spring in the solenoid switch is bent or broken. If the permanent current supply to the starter motor is not noticed overheating of the component with local scorching damage and a vehicle fire is possible.
Remedy: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the solenoid switch.
Built 1 March 2011 to 30 November 2011
29 January 2018 · Ref R/2018/032 · 24 vehicles
PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED
Due to a process deviation in the production front passenger airbag module the connection between detonator and generator may not be sufficient. This may cause the airbag not to deploy as intended.
Remedy: On affected vehicles replace the front passenger air bag module with a correctly manufactured version.
Built 13 September 2016 to 2 November 2016
6 April 2016 · Ref R/2016/064 · 35 vehicles
SIDE AIRBAG GAS GENERATOR CANISTER MAY FAIL
For certain vehicles manufactured within a specific period it is possible that the gas generator housing may be damaged if a side airbag is deployed. If the airbag/s were deployed the gas generator could explode and dislodge small metal parts which could cause injury to the vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and check the dates of manufacture for the left and or right side airbags. Where a possibly affected airbag is found it will be replaced.
Built 27 January 2015 to 28 January 2015
2 June 2006 · Ref R/2006/059 · 1,085 vehicles
TWIN-MASS FLYWHEEL MAY FAIL AND RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE
It has been advised that the twin-mass flywheel can become damaged because of poor internal installation. This can result in a failure of the twin-mass flywheel and under unfavourable circumstances a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Recalled vehicles will have the twin-mass flywheel replaced.
Built 1 November 2002 to 31 August 2003
18 February 2005 · Ref R/2004/212 · 5,492 vehicles
BOLTS OF THE TANDEM FUEL PUMP COVER MAY BREAK
It is advised that on some vehicles fitted with a 3 and 4 cylinder pump injector engine the bolts of the tandem fuel pump cover may break due to a bolt production fault. As a result the pump housing will not be tight and a diesel fuel leak may occur.
Remedy: Recalled vehicles will have the pump checked for being of a certain manufacture. If found to be within the affected range the pump housing cover bolts will be replaced.
Built 1 March 2004 to 31 August 2004
Recall data updated 4 October 2026. Ask a dealer to check a specific car by its registration.
Good to know
- Seat announced in March 2020 that Alhambra production would end that month (Wikipedia, production dates only)
- On the top two trim levels the sliding side doors are electrically operated (carwow)
- A 175bhp diesel arrived in 2013, and the 2015 facelift brought 148bhp and 181bhp 2.0 TDI engines (Auto Express)
New alternatives to a used Seat Alhambra
Citroen
Berlingo XL
Van-based MPV · seven seats
- From
- £26,805
- Boot, 7 up
- 209 L
- Length
- 4,753mm
- Isofix
- 3
Citroen
C3 Aircross
SUV · five or seven seats
- From
- £24,460
- Boot, 7 up
- 40 L
- Length
- 4,395mm
- Isofix
- 2
Vauxhall
Frontera
SUV · five or seven seats
- From
- £25,210
- Length
- 4,385mm
- Isofix
- 2
Used Seat Alhambra FAQs
What years was the Seat Alhambra sold new in the UK?
1996 to 2020.
How big is the Seat Alhambra boot with all seven seats up?
267 litres with all seven seats in use, a maximum of 2,297 litres.
Can adults sit in the third row of the Seat Alhambra?
Yes. The third row is roomy enough for adults.
Which used Seat Alhambra should I buy?
A manual, if you are happy to drive one: Auto Express says the DSG automatic has not proved as reliable. For low annual mileage it suggests the 1.4 TSI petrol rather than a diesel with a particulate filter, and the 2015 facelift brought 148bhp and 181bhp 2.0 TDI diesels.
Does the Seat Alhambra have electric sliding doors?
On the top two trim levels, yes: carwow says the sliding side doors are electrically operated. Check the trim of the car you are viewing if electric doors matter to you.
What replaced the Seat Alhambra?
Seat announced in March 2020 that Alhambra production would end that month, and no direct replacement was confirmed in the sources we checked. For a new seven-seater with sliding doors, see 7-seaters with sliding doors, or compare the used VW Sharan, another sliding-door people carrier.
Sources Auto Express, carwow, Wikipedia SEAT Alhambra, DVSA
