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Alfa Romeo Giulia reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 33,279 MOT tests of cars first registered 2017–2022.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
84.6%pass first time
+1.1 ptsvs typical car
Beats 61%of cars
33,279MOT tests

Verdict

The Alfa Romeo Giulia passes its MOT first time on 84.6% of tests, 1.1 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (83.4%). That puts it ahead of 61% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2018 Giulia does best (beats 75% of cars) and the 2022 worst (beats 9%).

Better than average on visibility, suspension.

Watch these weak spots

Tyres1.3×as often as a typical car
Headlight aim2.5×as often as a typical car
Brake discs1.5×as often as a typical car
Number plates1.5×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

70%75%80%85%90%345678985%85%84%84%84%84%82%
Alfa Romeo GiuliaTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2017
Beats 59%
2018
Beats 75%
2019
Beats 66%
2020
Beats 47%
2021
Beats 14%
2022
Beats 9%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol2017–202220,39385.3%Beats 59%C
2.1 Diesel2017–20199,04081.1%Beats 56%C
2.9 Petrol2017–20183,84688.9%Beats 90%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 0.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 5.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 7.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 2.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 5.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−1.0 ptsTyres: 7.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.6 ptsBrakes: 2.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.4 ptsSuspension: 0.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+1.6 ptsExhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust0.0 ptsSuspension: 0.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 2.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 7.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 5.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 5.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−1.0 ptsTyres: 7.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.6 ptsBrakes: 2.6% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.4 ptsSuspension: 0.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+1.6 ptsExhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust0.0 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 7.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Tyres
7.1% vs 5.4%
Lights & electrics
5.2% vs 4.2%
Brakes
2.6% vs 3.1%
Emissions & leaks
1.1% vs 1.1%
Visibility
0.8% vs 3.4%
Suspension
0.8% vs 2.3%
Wheels
0.4% vs 0.2%
Body & structure
0.2% vs 0.7%
Seat belts & airbags
0.2% vs 0.3%
Steering
0.1% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Headlight aim 2.5× typical
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Brake discs 1.5× typical
    Look through the wheel spokes for scored discs or a heavy rust lip on the edge.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Engine warning light
    The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

70%75%80%85%90%95%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k89%86%85%83%83%83%81%81%
Alfa Romeo GiuliaTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking4.6%3.3%1.4×
Headlight aim4.1%1.7%2.5×
Tyre tread depth2.5%1.9%1.3×
Brake pads1.8%1.8%1.0×
Engine warning light0.8%0.6%1.3×
Brake discs0.7%0.5%1.5×
Tyre pressure warning (TPMS)0.5%0.5%1.1×
Headlight bulbs & units0.5%0.8%0.7×
Windscreen washers0.5%1.3%0.4×
Number plates0.3%0.2%1.5×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements41.5
A tyre cords visible or damaged29.7
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements25.2
A tyre seriously damaged16.3
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm15.2
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction9.9
A tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative5.3
Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn5.2
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia1 engine84.6% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,19084.6%Beats 9%E
2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia1 engine84.6% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,44284.6%Beats 14%E
2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia1 engine86.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol2,06386.6%Beats 47%C
2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia2 engines86.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol4,56687.3%Beats 70%B
2.1 Diesel1,30783.5%Beats 57%C
2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia3 engines85.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol4,98586.2%Beats 71%B
2.1 Diesel3,07083.2%Beats 68%B
2.9 Petrol1,24191.4%Beats 98%A
2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia3 engines82.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol6,14783.1%Beats 57%C
2.1 Diesel4,66379.0%Beats 46%C
2.9 Petrol2,60587.7%Beats 84%A

FAQ

What is the Alfa Romeo Giulia MOT pass rate?

84.6% of MOT tests on the Alfa Romeo Giulia were passed first time, based on 33,279 tests between 2019 and 2026 of cars first registered 2017–2022. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 83.4% of the time.

Is the Alfa Romeo Giulia reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 61% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Alfa Romeo Giulia year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2018 Giulia does best for its age and mileage: it beats 75% of cars on UK roads. The 2022 does worst: it beats 9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Alfa Romeo Giulia?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, headlight aim, tyre tread depth. Compared with similar cars, headlight aim comes up 2.5× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.