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Alfa Romeo Alfetta Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Alfa Romeo Alfetta car check

Is the Alfa Romeo Alfetta reliable? We analysed 2,542 real MOT tests across 342 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,542 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
75.0%
Typical Mileage
55,956mi
Annual Mileage
427mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
50yrs

The Alfa Romeo Alfetta is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Alfa Romeo Alfetta.

Alfa Romeo Alfetta Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Alfa Romeo Alfetta. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Alfa Romeo Alfetta MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Alfa Romeo Alfetta to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

75.4%
1986
76%
1985
80.8%
1984
74.4%
1983
75.1%
1982
71.1%
1981
78.7%
1980
72.1%
1979
71.5%
1978
77.4%
1977
78%
1976

Alfa Romeo Alfetta Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Alfa Romeo Alfetta fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 107
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 103
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 93
brake binding 66
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 58
Headlamp not working on main beam 56
Headlamp not working on dipped beam 54
Headlamp aim too low 50
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 46
Stop lamp not working 45

Alfa Romeo Alfetta Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Alfa Romeo Alfetta owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
139 mi/yr
Typical
427 mi/yr
Average
1,013 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,068 mi/yr

Alfa Romeo Alfetta MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Alfa Romeo Alfetta year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1986 69 75.4% 31,040 61,453 79,619
1985 75 76.0% 44,102 61,254 65,046
1984 130 80.8% 38,856 64,360 81,596
1983 626 74.4% 26,664 45,638 69,461
1982 449 75.1% 19,165 48,985 72,387
1981 239 71.1% 40,238 55,892 74,346
1980 150 78.7% 46,085 55,947 67,907
1979 179 72.1% 41,535 51,431 74,882
1978 151 71.5% 19,108 45,300 70,267
1977 177 77.4% 55,988 75,518 91,548
1976 82 78.0% 16,542 51,616 71,346

How Long Does a Alfa Romeo Alfetta Last?

Based on 342 Alfa Romeo Alfetta vehicles on UK roads.

Average
33.5 years
Median
36.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
50 years

Alfa Romeo Alfetta Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Alfa Romeo Alfetta MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
55,956 mi
75th Percentile
75,568 mi
95th Percentile
99,660 mi
Max Recorded
689,047 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Alfa Romeo Alfetta

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1984

80.8% MOT pass rate from 130 tests

Year to avoid
1981

71.1% MOT pass rate from 239 tests

The best year to buy a used Alfa Romeo Alfetta is 1984, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.8% across 130 tests. The 1981 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.1% — 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 Alfetta Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Alfa Romeo Alfetta THIS CAR 75.0% 2,542 55,956 mi 50 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
Honda Nss 125 Ad-n 89.3% 1,563 19,422 mi — yrs

Compared to the Alfa Romeo 156 (66.1% pass rate) and the Alfa Romeo 147 (68.9% pass rate), the Alfa Romeo Alfetta outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Alfa Romeo Alfetta?

The Alfa Romeo Alfetta has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.0% across 2,542 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Alfa Romeo Alfetta are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (107 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (103), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (93). 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.

A typical Alfa Romeo Alfetta owner drives around 427 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 Alfetta models stay on UK roads for around 50 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.

Alfa Romeo Alfetta — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Alfa Romeo Alfetta reliable?
Based on 2,542 MOT tests, the Alfa Romeo Alfetta has a 75.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Alfa Romeo Alfetta?
The most common MOT failures are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Alfa Romeo Alfetta do per year?
The typical Alfa Romeo Alfetta does around 427 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Alfa Romeo Alfetta last?
Most Alfa Romeo Alfetta models stay on UK roads for around 50 years based on our analysis of 342 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Alfa Romeo Alfetta?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Alfa Romeo Alfetta?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Alfa Romeo Alfetta is 1984 with a 80.8% pass rate across 130 tests.