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Alfa Romeo MiTo reliability

D · Below average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 173,638 MOT tests of cars first registered 2009–2018.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
63.5%pass first time
−5.4 ptsvs typical car
Beats 23%of cars
173,638MOT tests

Verdict

The Alfa Romeo MiTo passes its MOT first time on 63.5% of tests, 5.4 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (68.9%). That puts it ahead of 23% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2010 MiTo does best (beats 35% of cars) and the 2012 worst (beats 23%).

Of its engines, the 1.4 Petrol does best (beats 32%) and the 0.9 Petrol worst (beats 4%).

Watch these weak spots

Suspension1.4×as often as a typical car
Brakes1.5×as often as a typical car
Coil springs2.4×as often as a typical car
Handbrake performance2.9×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.

50%60%70%80%90%100%3456789101112131415161787%74%67%62%61%60%58%57%
Alfa Romeo MiToTypical 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.

2009
Beats 35%
2010
Beats 35%
2011
Beats 32%
2012
Beats 23%
2013
Beats 11%
2014
Beats 5%
2015
Beats 2%
2016
Beats 9%
2017
Beats 2%
2018
Beats 0%

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
1.4 Petrol2009–2017113,34562.6%Beats 32%D
0.9 Petrol2012–201836,40469.0%Beats 4%E
1.2 Diesel2009–201516,58760.7%Beats 18%E
1.6 Diesel2009–20147,30256.8%Beats 21%D

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: 4.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.8% 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: 13.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.2% 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: 11.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.6% 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: 7.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% 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: 10.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.8% 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: 11.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.6% 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+1.6 ptsTyres: 7.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% 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−1.3 ptsBrakes: 10.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.8% 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−3.5 ptsSuspension: 13.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.2% 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−3.6 ptsExhaust: 4.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.8% 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.Exhaust−1.6 ptsSuspension: 13.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.2% 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: 10.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.8% 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: 7.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% 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: 11.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.6% 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: 4.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.8% 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: 11.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.6% 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+1.6 ptsTyres: 7.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% 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−1.3 ptsBrakes: 10.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.8% 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−3.5 ptsSuspension: 13.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.2% 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−3.6 ptsExhaust: 4.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.8% 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.Exhaust−1.6 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Suspension: 13.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 10.2% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Suspension
13.8% vs 10.2%
Lights & electrics
11.1% vs 12.6%
Brakes
10.3% vs 6.8%
Tyres
7.9% vs 6.6%
Visibility
6.0% vs 4.9%
Emissions & leaks
4.5% vs 2.8%
Body & structure
4.2% vs 3.2%
Steering
2.0% vs 1.8%
Seat belts & airbags
0.8% vs 0.8%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Coil springs 2.4× typical
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
  • Handbrake performance 2.9× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Headlight bulbs & units 1.8× typical
    Check dipped and main beam on both sides.
  • Wheel bearings 4.7× typical
    Listen for a hum or drone that rises with speed.
  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst) 2.7× typical
    Check past MOT emissions readings in the car's history: rising readings can mean catalyst or sensor problems.
  • Brake pads 1.7× typical
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k90%77%68%62%57%55%54%54%
Alfa Romeo MiToTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Coil springs7.7%3.2%2.4×
Tyre damage & cracking4.5%3.6%1.2×
Headlight bulbs & units4.1%2.2%1.8×
Handbrake performance3.5%1.2%2.9×
Brake pads3.4%2.0%1.7×
Headlight aim3.1%3.2%0.9×
Tyre tread depth3.0%2.7%1.1×
Windscreen washers2.8%2.3%1.2×
Windscreen wipers2.8%2.2%1.2×
Exhaust system2.4%1.2%2.1×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened76.5
A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED35.1
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm31.6
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements30.5
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements29.6
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement28.9
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen27.8
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen27.1
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.

2018 Alfa Romeo MiTo1 engine76.3% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
0.9 Petrol1,35776.3%Beats 0%E
2017 Alfa Romeo MiTo2 engines75.4% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
0.9 Petrol2,65773.0%Beats 0%E
1.4 Petrol1,68579.2%Beats 10%E
2016 Alfa Romeo MiTo2 engines76.0% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
0.9 Petrol8,14375.2%Beats 6%E
1.4 Petrol2,81378.2%Beats 19%E
2015 Alfa Romeo MiTo3 engines70.0% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
0.9 Petrol7,37069.8%Beats 2%E
1.4 Petrol4,33871.9%Beats 4%E
1.2 Diesel1,35365.0%Beats 2%E
2014 Alfa Romeo MiTo4 engines66.1% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
0.9 Petrol7,94165.6%Beats 3%E
1.4 Petrol3,36370.7%Beats 14%E
1.2 Diesel2,19162.9%Beats 4%E
1.6 Diesel1,59963.7%Beats 6%E
2013 Alfa Romeo MiTo3 engines65.2% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
0.9 Petrol6,52864.2%Beats 6%E
1.4 Petrol5,39567.3%Beats 17%E
1.2 Diesel2,68963.1%Beats 14%E
2012 Alfa Romeo MiTo4 engines63.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol13,45865.3%Beats 26%D
1.2 Diesel3,81062.3%Beats 28%D
0.9 Petrol2,40860.8%Beats 7%E
1.6 Diesel1,17459.2%Beats 17%E
2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo2 engines62.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol22,14963.6%Beats 34%D
1.2 Diesel2,80056.9%Beats 17%E
2010 Alfa Romeo MiTo3 engines60.0% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol27,47860.7%Beats 37%D
1.2 Diesel2,20956.9%Beats 30%D
1.6 Diesel1,86552.8%Beats 19%E
2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo3 engines57.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol32,66657.3%Beats 34%D
1.6 Diesel2,66454.4%Beats 35%D
1.2 Diesel1,53558.1%Beats 44%C

FAQ

What is the Alfa Romeo MiTo MOT pass rate?

63.5% of MOT tests on the Alfa Romeo MiTo were passed first time, based on 173,638 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2009–2018. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 68.9% of the time.

Is the Alfa Romeo MiTo reliable?

On MOT results it rates D (below average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 23% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Alfa Romeo MiTo year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2010 MiTo does best for its age and mileage: it beats 35% of cars on UK roads. The 2012 does worst: it beats 23%.

Which Alfa Romeo MiTo engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.4 Petrol does best: it beats 32% of cars on UK roads. The 0.9 Petrol does worst: it beats 4%.

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

The most common failure items are coil springs, tyre damage & cracking, headlight bulbs & units. Compared with similar cars, coil springs comes up 2.4× 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.