Faults:

Heating/ventilation module stopped working.

Anti roll bar bushes replaced for excessive play.

Top suspension bushes replaced for excessive play.

All ignition coils have been replaced.

Windscreen wipers stopped working as mechanism seized.

Air-con doesn't blow cold air.

Glove box lid falls off when opened.

Various bits of trim have fallen off

Fuel pump relay replaced twice.

Rear loudspeaker in door doesn't work anymore

General Comments:

For what is a big and heavy car, the performance of the Alhambra is very good in turbocharged petrol form. However, this is certainly paid for at the pumps; around town it struggles to do 23mpg. Even on a long run, the best I have ever got is about 30mpg.

I have always found the car comfortable, but then I don't have to sit in the rear row of seats where it can be a bit tight, and with the rear seats in place, there is hardly any luggage space.

What has spoiled the ownership experience for me, is all the faults and that it failed both its first and second MOTs. I have also found servicing expensive, and that the break down of costs just states "serviced in accordance with manufacturers service schedule". I like to know where my £400 is going!

Considering the car is targeted at families, the cloth trim marks extremely easily, and really isn't very hard wearing.

Faults:

Turbo packed up.

Heated seats melted cushioning.

Buttons fell off.

Heater packed up.

Cooling system packed up.

Leaks.

Door mirrors faulty.

Windows faulty.

Rear heater box packed up.

Brake problems.

Cruise control broke down.

Computer changed over to left hand drive.

Many electrical problems.

Alarm problems.

Starting problems.

Faults:

There was an interior light missing from the new car as soon as I got it home. They simply stole one from another new car when I went back!. The service indicator came on after 1000 miles. These items were all marked as checked in the pre-delivery report they gave me!

My Air Con failed at 15,000 miles. The main dealer simply re-gassed it and charged me £70 "as it's a consumable". It was no better so they gave me my money back and said it was the pump that had failed. Needless to say I went to another main dealer who tells me that they have major problems with the air con seals and theres no guarantee it will be fixed quickly.

The rubber peeled off the interior door handles very quickly and they were replaced at the first service.

The dash rattles.

General Comments:

The sports suspension on the SE model is a very hard ride. Its standard on the car.

Seat dealers seem to be very small and the level of service is suspect. I hate turning up at these places and not finding a place to park anywhere near.

Very good fuel consumption.

Faults:

Nothing major has gone wrong with the car. The connection pipe between the Engine Pre-heater and the exhaust was loose, fixed by Dealer at service.

General Comments:

This is a very good car let down by poor quality of interior trim.

The ashtrays have broken (rear doors) and the front glove box fell off when opened.

On the plus side the TDI diesel performs very well giving an average MPG of 42. The seats are very comfortable and the climate control keeps the cabin (including rear seat passengers) cool.

The sports suspension makes the car a pleasure to drive.

The service from the dealers has been excellent.