Seat Alhambra 2019 S trim - Mouldy middle seat belt- leak?

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Sun 16 Mar 2025 11:33
Seat Alhambra 2019 S trim - Mouldy middle seat belt- leak? - indecisivebuyer
Hi,
After a protracted search we decided to proceed with buying a seat Alhambra (2018, S trim) as our new family car (see previous posts).
We had an inspection carried out on it but didn’t try driving it with all the kids in so never tried the middle seat belt.
Got it home and went to put in the car seats and found the middle seat belt (which feeds from the roof) is covered in mould. It’s very very thick mould.
I’ve heard Alhambras can suffer from leaks but thought this was in the models with the sunroof, which we deliberately didn’t get.
We have owned it less than 24 hrs- from a not great dealer (hence the inspection).
Obviously should have done my own checks and feeling terrible that I missed this.

What does this mean for the car?
I’m going to approach the dealer on Monday - aware under consumer rights protection I can ask for them to repair/ replace the seatbelt but I’m more worried about what the underlying problem is that caused the mould.
Looking closely now, there is signs of some mould between the rear seats and on the third row back seat. Car has obviously been valeted prior to sale.
No obvious smell of mould or damp, no obvious wet carpets or footwells.

Would be grateful for any advice anyone can offer.
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Sun 16 Mar 2025 12:09
Seat Alhambra 2019 S trim - Mouldy middle seat belt- leak? - elekie&a/c doctor
Presumably the car had a mot prior to purchase . The centre belt should’ve been checked for operation, but a mouldy belt would not be a failure unless it was weakened or damaged. I suspect it’s been cleaned during the valet and wound back into the roof , rather than leaving it extended to dry out fully. Contact the dealer for their advice.
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Sun 16 Mar 2025 12:42
Seat Alhambra 2019 S trim - Mouldy middle seat belt- leak? - catsdad

I’ve found mould on seat belts in otherwise dry cars. I think spillage, for example by kids, is as likely as a leak. Obviously belt material is extremely strong but I have wondered if it might be more absorbent than it looks.

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Sun 16 Mar 2025 19:09
Seat Alhambra 2019 S trim - Mouldy middle seat belt- leak? - indecisivebuyer
That’s true - I’ve had that happen on child car seat and buggy straps!
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Sun 16 Mar 2025 19:09
Seat Alhambra 2019 S trim - Mouldy middle seat belt- leak? - indecisivebuyer
Thanks, it did have a mot prior to the inspection. The inspector said it was a very ‘friendly’ MOT as should have failed on brakes and wipers. The dealer has replaced all of these since but I’m not sure how thorough the MOT was worryingly…
Thanks for the advice, thats exactly what I was hoping had happened rather than anything more serious, I’ll try the dealer tomorrow
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Thu 20 Mar 2025 07:47
Seat Alhambra 2019 S trim - Mouldy middle seat belt- leak? - SLO76
Not uncommon to find a bit of mould after the car has had the seats shampooed. Wouldn’t be concerned unless there was more obvious signs of damp. The seats on these along with many other VAG products stain easily so it’ll have had a wet valet to prep it after years of family use.
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