Alfa Romeo 159 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Alfa Romeo 159 car check
Is the Alfa Romeo 159 reliable? We analysed 146,723 real MOT tests across 9,959 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Alfa Romeo 159? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Alfa Romeo 159 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, coil spring broken and tyre has ply or cords exposed. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Alfa Romeo 159.
Alfa Romeo 159 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Alfa Romeo 159. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Alfa Romeo 159 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Alfa Romeo 159 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Alfa Romeo 159 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Alfa Romeo 159 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Alfa Romeo 159 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Alfa Romeo 159 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Alfa Romeo 159 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Alfa Romeo 159 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Alfa Romeo 159 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Alfa Romeo 159 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,491 | 74.8% | 44,225 | 72,040 | 104,827 |
| 2011 | 8,897 | 73.2% | 57,999 | 83,419 | 112,810 |
| 2010 | 15,443 | 72.7% | 58,478 | 85,381 | 115,678 |
| 2009 | 23,708 | 71.2% | 58,481 | 86,393 | 114,983 |
| 2008 | 30,332 | 71.0% | 61,270 | 89,688 | 118,932 |
| 2007 | 42,971 | 70.8% | 56,306 | 83,666 | 113,356 |
| 2006 | 23,507 | 70.4% | 56,803 | 84,781 | 115,046 |
| 2005 | 100 | 65.0% | 74,373 | 100,823 | 128,975 |
How Long Does a Alfa Romeo 159 Last?
Based on 9,959 Alfa Romeo 159 vehicles on UK roads.
Alfa Romeo 159 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Alfa Romeo 159 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Alfa Romeo 159
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
74.8% MOT pass rate from 1,491 tests
65.0% MOT pass rate from 100 tests
The best year to buy a used Alfa Romeo 159 is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 74.8% across 1,491 tests. The 2005 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Alfa Romeo 159 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfa Romeo 159 THIS CAR | 71.2% | 146,723 | 85,602 mi | 20 yrs |
| Alfa Romeo 156 | 66.1% | 487,324 | 82,323 mi | 28 yrs |
| Alfa Romeo 147 | 68.9% | 411,257 | 69,088 mi | 25 yrs |
| Alfa Romeo Giulietta | 78.3% | 348,185 | 63,719 mi | 16 yrs |
| Lexus GS300 | 76.9% | 172,303 | 98,442 mi | 33 yrs |
Compared to the Alfa Romeo 156 (66.1% pass rate) and the Alfa Romeo 147 (68.9% pass rate), the Alfa Romeo 159 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Alfa Romeo 159 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Alfa Romeo 159Should you buy a used Alfa Romeo 159?
The Alfa Romeo 159 has an overall MOT pass rate of 71.2% across 146,723 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Alfa Romeo 159 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (6,343 recorded failures), coil spring broken (4,725), and tyre has ply or cords exposed (3,135). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Alfa Romeo 159 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Alfa Romeo 159 owner drives around 7,298 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Alfa Romeo 159 models stay on UK roads for around 20 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.