Alfa Romeo 147 MOT pass rate and common problems
62.9% of 2,682 Alfa Romeo 147 MOT tests pass.
The 147 passes 62.9% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Alfa Romeo models (75.1%).
The Alfa Romeo 147 passes 62.9% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Alfa Romeo 147?
This is the average across every Alfa Romeo 147 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Alfa Romeo’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Unusually, pass rate is higher for older examples: 58.8% at 10–15 years compared with 63.1% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 58.8% | 136 | 96,412 miles |
| 15+ years | 63.1% | 2,546 | 96,697 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Alfa Romeo 147
The most common reason the Alfa Romeo 147 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 60.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Pin or bush excessively worn".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 60.1% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 56.2% | Not working |
| Brakes | 38.3% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Body, chassis, structure | 26.4% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Visibility | 24.4% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Tyres | 20.0% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 14.7% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 13.5% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 5.8% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Road Wheels | 1.4% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Alfa Romeo 147: what to check
These checks follow the Alfa Romeo 147’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 75.7% down to 65.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 60.1% of failed Alfa Romeo 147 MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 56.2% of failed Alfa Romeo 147 MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 38.3% of failed Alfa Romeo 147 MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 26.4% of failed Alfa Romeo 147 MOTs.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 24.4% of failed Alfa Romeo 147 MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Alfa Romeo service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Alfa Romeo models
- Alfa Romeo Stelvio — 91.9% pass rate
- Alfa Romeo 159 — 63.7% pass rate
- Alfa Romeo Brera — 73.1% pass rate
- Alfa Romeo GT — 63.1% pass rate
- Alfa Romeo GTV — 68.1% pass rate
- Alfa Romeo 156 — 69.2% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Alfa Romeo 147?
- 62.9% of Alfa Romeo 147 MOT tests pass, based on 2,682 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Alfa Romeo 147?
- The most common reason the Alfa Romeo 147 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 60.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Pin or bush excessively worn".
- What are the common problems with the Alfa Romeo 147?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Alfa Romeo 147 are suspension; lights and electrics; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Alfa Romeo 147?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; lights and electrics; brakes; bodywork and corrosion; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Alfa Romeo 147's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Alfa Romeo service history guide for how to check and keep one.