Faults:

Usual diesel carry on, had the clean the EGR valve as it was running rough.

Had another strange misfire, but it cleared up on its own.

The typical mechanical wear and tear parts were replaced as the years went by - suspension parts, brakes, exhaust, etc.

Rear windows jammed.

Tiny oil leak from somewhere, but not serious.

Interior plastics broken/inoperative.

General Comments:

The Altea is a reasonably reliable and comfortable car, but that is about all it has going for it.

These family Multi Purpose Vehicles are all the same from this era to be honest, with the focus on space and value, which they do deliver, but if you are looking for an exciting driving experience, look elsewhere.

That said, I like the Altea's funky looks (with five spoke alloy wheels in silver), it is pretty sharp looking, most MPV's are ugly.

Not bad to drive, 1.9 TDi is certainly not fast, but always does around 45 mpg.

S model is very basic, despite being a smaller MPV, there is lots and lots of space inside, dashboard and seats are quality materials, though a lot on mine has broke, but it has been getting heavy family use and abuse over the years.

Not a bad car, has been cost effective and useful, exactly what you buy this type of vehicle for and no more.

Faults:

ABS sensors, rear brake discs and pads, etc.

Rear wash/wipe jammed.

Luggage cover broke.

Spent a bit on preventative maintenance lately; belts and oil changes, plus new battery. Nothing really bad or serious has went wrong.

General Comments:

Surprisingly punchy MPV, the Altea has a nice turn of speed and a comfortable driving position.

The 1.4 TSi engine can also achieve in excess of 40 mpg. Very good for petrol.

Comfortable spacious car. Nice to be in. SE has all the electrics you would expect from mid range Seat.

Getting older now and higher mileage, but I want to hang on to this simple reliable car for as long as possible.

Faults:

Absolutely nothing has gone wrong!

General Comments:

Fantastic car - the 170bhp diesel is a dream to drive - can't fault this car much - other than maybe interior cabin noise on motorway - not of the quality of the Exeo - (my next car finances permitting) - and tyre wear - tho that may be my driving style!

The dials are easy to read with red illumination on white. seats are comfortable - I'm 6'5" with chronic neck and back pain and I have no trouble finding a comfortable driving position.

In UK vehicle road tax is £170 and running costs are very affordable - goodish economy with average mpg of 40-45.

Faults:

Front bush went at around 20,000 kilometers.

Starter motor, air-conditioner compressor went at 35000 kilometers.

(The above were covered under warranty)

General Comments:

This is a good car if you want to have something sporty and definitely cheaper than the VW Golf - the car is more or less a mix of Audi, VW and Seat technology, and you see several parts from these three manufacturers under the hood.

The car's performance is quite good, and at the time I bought this vehicle, the features were better than compared to other rival motors. If you're looking for a better car in Dubai today, a Nissan Altima would do better when compared to the Seat Altea.

You may not want to compare these two cars since they're way too different, but my comparison is in terms of features and a similar price range.

The Altea is brilliant when it comes to quick pickups and it is sporty and fast. The tiptronic gear system is excellent, and you enjoy pushing the car as you drive in both normal (D) and sport (S) gears. The tiptronic is brilliant and intelligent. I must say using it delivers excessive power, and is better than driving the car in sports mode.

I do not warranty that the car is cheap to maintain, and I also believe the quality is excellent but the durability is something that I would caution a buyer about. Having owned Seat cars from 2001, I must say the warranty does cover several problems during the early years, but as that runs out, you'll have to deal with higher part prices and a dealer who really doesn't sit down well with me - at least.

I recommend the car if you are an enthusiast and would like to drive something for the thrill and enjoyment. If you're looking for a durable car that runs well for years, this may not be a great option.

I do say that I would buy another Seat car, but this may be my last Seat due to their overly similar designs and expensive parts.