Alfa Romeo 159 MOT pass rate and common problems
63.7% of 5,601 Alfa Romeo 159 MOT tests pass.
The 159 passes 63.7% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Alfa Romeo models (75.1%).
The Alfa Romeo 159 passes 63.7% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Alfa Romeo 159?
This is the average across every Alfa Romeo 159 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
Pass rate stays relatively stable with age: 63.7% at 10–15 years versus 63.6% 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 | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 63.7% | 2,497 | 119,410 miles |
| 15+ years | 63.6% | 3,103 | 122,425 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Alfa Romeo 159
The most common reason the Alfa Romeo 159 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 58.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Fractured or broken".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 58.9% | Fractured or broken |
| Brakes | 46.3% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 42.7% | Not working |
| Tyres | 24.7% | Has ply or cords exposed |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 19.9% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 17.6% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Visibility | 11.6% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Steering | 7.3% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.3% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.7% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Alfa Romeo 159: what to check
These checks follow the Alfa Romeo 159’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 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 71.0% down to 65.2%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 58.9% of failed Alfa Romeo 159 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. Brakes
Recorded in 46.3% of failed Alfa Romeo 159 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.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 42.7% of failed Alfa Romeo 159 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.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 24.7% of failed Alfa Romeo 159 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 19.9% of failed Alfa Romeo 159 MOTs.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
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 Giulia — 90.2% pass rate
- Alfa Romeo Spider — 75.3% pass rate
- Alfa Romeo Stelvio — 91.9% pass rate
- Alfa Romeo Brera — 73.1% pass rate
- Alfa Romeo 147 — 62.9% pass rate
- Alfa Romeo GT — 63.1% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Alfa Romeo 159?
- 63.7% of Alfa Romeo 159 MOT tests pass, based on 5,601 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Alfa Romeo 159?
- The most common reason the Alfa Romeo 159 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 58.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Fractured or broken".
- What are the common problems with the Alfa Romeo 159?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Alfa Romeo 159 are suspension; brakes; lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Alfa Romeo 159?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; brakes; lights and electrics; tyres; exhaust, emissions and leaks. 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 159'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.