Verdict
Alfa Romeo cars pass their MOT first time on 66.4% of tests, against 68.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. That beats 39% of cars on UK roads and ranks Alfa Romeo 25th of 40 makes: well behind BMW and Audi, but clearly ahead of Fiat.
The Giulia, from 2017 on, does best, beating 61% of cars, though from far fewer tests than the Giulietta and MiTo. The Giulietta (2010–2020), the most common Alfa Romeo, is close to average, beating 47%.
The MiTo (2009–2018) is the one to check most carefully: it beats only 23% of cars. Of the older models, the 147 beats 32%, and the 159 is close to average at 45%.
Alfa Romeos fail more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage on emissions and leaks (about 1.4 times as often), on tyres and brakes (each about 1.2 times) and on suspension (about 1.15 times). Steering fails about a third less often than typical, and lights and electrics slightly less often.
Where it fails
Every Alfa Romeo compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Alfa Romeo models
Models with 20,000+ MOT tests, 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. Light vans are included and tend to grade lower, partly from hard commercial use.
| Model first registered | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giulietta 2010–2020 | 70.4% | Beats 47% | C |
| MiTo 2009–2018 | 63.5% | Beats 23% | D |
| 159 2006–2011 | 55.0% | Beats 45% | C |
| Giulia 2017–2022 | 84.6% | Beats 61% | B |
| 147 2002–2009 | 51.1% | Beats 32% | D |
FAQ
What is the Alfa Romeo MOT pass rate?
66.4% of Alfa Romeo MOT tests were passed first time, from 540,199 tests. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 68.5%, so Alfa Romeos do a little worse than typical.
Are Alfa Romeos reliable?
On MOT results they are below average: Alfa Romeo beats 39% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account, and ranks 25th of 40 makes. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which Alfa Romeo model is most reliable?
The Giulia (2017 on) does best, beating 61% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account. Of the most common models, the Giulietta is close to average, beating 47%.
Which Alfa Romeo should I avoid?
The MiTo does worst of the common models, beating only 23% of cars. The older 147 beats 32%.
What do Alfa Romeos fail their MOT on?
Lights and electrics and suspension are the most common areas, each on about 12% of tests. Compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, emissions and leaks, tyres, brakes and suspension fail more often, and steering less often.