Faults:

Air-con problems started just after one year. According to the dealer, ALL Sharan's, Alhambra's, and Galaxy's suffer from a faulty air-con evaporator. Replacing it means removing the complete dashboard. Both the dealer and importer refused to fix it at their charge. Owning an Alhambra means not IF but WHEN you will have to replace the aircon evaporator! My dealer showed me over 20 broken air-con evaporators in his scrap yard.

Now after 3 years, my servo-steering unit leaks and needs to be replaced.

Many small electrical problems (a.o. engine temperature gauge).

Poor interior materials (mirror covers broke 4 times, speaker grille breaks when entering through the back doors,..).

Positive comments: spacious, low fuel consumption, good engine performance.

General Comments:

Very poor reliability and most components are well below standards.

The importer is not cooperative at all and refuses to compensate for the poor reliability.

Faults:

The air conditioning has had to be repaired every summer since I got the car. I didn't have to pay for repairs during 1997 when the car was still under guarantee, or in 2000. Despite discounts from the garage, however, air conditioning repairs alone have cost about £1300.

The alternator and the battery had to be replaced when the car was less than 3 years old.

Small parts such as the mirror cover on the sun visors broke very early on.

Other failures in 2000 and 2001 have included the distributor and one of the electric windows.

General Comments:

The car is very pleasant to drive, and it is economical.

The air conditioning is clearly a major problem. The SEAT importer contacted the manufacturer on my behalf and was informed that the guarantee is for one year only so they would not agree to cover any later expenses. I can see why: the system can't even handle the Belgian climate.