Alfa Romeo Spider MOT pass rate and common problems
75.3% of 6,051 Alfa Romeo Spider MOT tests pass.
The Spider's pass rate of 75.3% is in line with the average across all Alfa Romeo models, at 75.1%.
At 75.3%, the Alfa Romeo Spider passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Alfa Romeo Spider?
This is the average across every Alfa Romeo Spider 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 declines noticeably with age, from 86.2% at 10–15 years to 74.6% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | too few tests (8) | 8 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (4) | 4 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 86.2% | 318 | 63,207 miles |
| 15+ years | 74.6% | 5,721 | 77,848 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Alfa Romeo Spider
The most common reason the Alfa Romeo Spider fails its MOT is brakes — present in 60.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Efficiency below requirements".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 60.9% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 40.4% | Not working |
| Suspension | 35.9% | Fractured or broken |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 25.8% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Body, chassis, structure | 21.5% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Visibility | 20.1% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 13.1% | Has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 8.8% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Steering | 4.6% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.7% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Alfa Romeo Spider: what to check
These checks follow the Alfa Romeo Spider’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.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Alfa Romeo Spider comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 86.2% to 74.6%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 83.3% down to 72.4%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Brakes
Recorded in 60.9% of failed Alfa Romeo Spider MOTs. 18.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 3.8% at 10–15 years.
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.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 40.4% of failed Alfa Romeo Spider MOTs. 11.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 5.7% at 10–15 years.
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. Suspension
Recorded in 35.9% of failed Alfa Romeo Spider MOTs. 10.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 4.4% at 10–15 years.
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.
4. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 25.8% of failed Alfa Romeo Spider MOTs. 7.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 1.6% at 10–15 years.
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.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 21.5% of failed Alfa Romeo Spider MOTs. 6.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 0.6% at 10–15 years.
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.
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 Giulietta — 74.3% pass rate
- Alfa Romeo Mito — 69.2% pass rate
- Alfa Romeo Giulia — 90.2% pass rate
- Alfa Romeo Stelvio — 91.9% pass rate
- Alfa Romeo 159 — 63.7% pass rate
- Alfa Romeo Brera — 73.1% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Alfa Romeo Spider?
- 75.3% of Alfa Romeo Spider MOT tests pass, based on 6,051 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Alfa Romeo Spider?
- The most common reason the Alfa Romeo Spider fails its MOT is brakes — present in 60.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Efficiency below requirements".
- What are the common problems with the Alfa Romeo Spider?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Alfa Romeo Spider are brakes; lights and electrics; suspension. 18.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 3.8% at 10–15 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Alfa Romeo Spider?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: brakes; lights and electrics; suspension; exhaust, emissions and leaks; bodywork and corrosion. 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 Spider'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.