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S493 RCS

1998 Alfa Romeo Spider

Grey Petrol 1970cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires27 Mar 2027
Tests29 (15 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate51.7%

Mileage

69,041 mi
Last recorded69,041 miles
Recorded on19 Mar 2026
Typical for 1998 Alfa Romeo Spider77,205 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Alfa Romeo
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS493 RCS
MakeAlfa Romeo
ModelSpider
Year1998
ColourGrey
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,970cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

15 pass 14 fail
Pass 19 Mar 2026 69,041 miles

Front fog lamps are permanently on with position lamps - not a testable item at this age

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 10 Mar 2026 69,041 miles

Nearside Front Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Nearside Front Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pivot has restricted free movement caliper not returning to stop (1.1.15 (e))

Offside Rear Brake pivot has restricted free movement caliper not returning to stop (1.1.15 (e))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake cable damaged but not to excess (1.1.15 (a))

Front fog lamps are permanently on with position lamps - not a testable item at this age

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly twisted also deteriorated at ferrel (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the right (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 28 Mar 2025 67,541 miles
Fail 17 Mar 2025 67,496 miles

Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength subframe badly corroded at side behind lower suspension arm (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 13 Jul 2024 67,122 miles

Central Rear Stop lamp(s) light intensity significantly reduced (4.3.3 (a) (ii))

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Macpherson strut mounting corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too far to the right (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the right (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

heavily undersealed

Fail 22 May 2024 66,796 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Road wheel badly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Coil spring mounting corroded but not seriously weakened both front struts (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 24 Oct 2022 64,403 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Pass 8 Oct 2021 64,162 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened inner face (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

UNDERSIDE HEAVILY UNDERSEALED

Fail 30 Sep 2021 64,154 miles

Nearside Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill inner and outter sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill inner and outter (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened inner face (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Pass 1 Oct 2020 63,510 miles

Nearside Front Inner Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened face (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Inner Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened face (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

underside covered in u/seal

Pass 24 Sep 2019 61,930 miles
Fail 19 Sep 2019 61,928 miles

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Pass 15 May 2017 61,645 miles

Front sub frame rusty

Nearside Rear floor slight corrosion and holed at drain holes

Offside Front Lower arm front bush splitting

Offside Front brake pipe cant see full pipe

Offside Front tyre wearing inner edge 205/55/16

all coil springs rusty and front struts

both seats have slight movement

play top steering column

Fail 5 May 2017 61,645 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened both rear spring pans (2.4.G.1)

Front sub frame rusty

Nearside Rear floor slight corrosion and holed at drain holes

Offside Front Lower arm front bush splitting

Offside Front brake pipe cant see full pipe

Offside Front tyre wearing inner edge 205/55/16

all coil springs rusty and front struts

both seats have slight movement

play top steering column

Pass 6 May 2016 60,722 miles
Fail 19 Apr 2016 60,718 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

offside front tyre perished

vehicle underside corroded

Pass 29 Apr 2015 59,737 miles
Fail 29 Apr 2015 59,737 miles

Offside Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Pass 29 Apr 2013 58,551 miles

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

offside & nearside floor pans corroded

offside & nearside plastic over sill fitted unable to check sills

offside rear tyre side wall slightly perished

Fail 10 Apr 2013 58,539 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6) DANGEROUS

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

exhaust has part of system corroded

nearside service brake low effort

offside & nearside floor pans corroded

offside rear tyre side wall slightly perished

plastic over sills fitted,unable to check outer sill condition properly

Pass 18 Oct 2011 55,398 miles

floor and sills corroding

Fail 18 Oct 2011 55,398 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

floor and sills corroding

Pass 20 Oct 2010 52,466 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 8 May 2009 46,153 miles
Fail 16 Apr 2009 46,153 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

underside floor and sill area is corroded but not excessive

Pass 9 Nov 2007 38,876 miles
Fail 9 Nov 2007 38,876 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Pass 28 Sep 2006 30,379 miles
Fail 26 Sep 2006 30,379 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

How Reliable is the Alfa Romeo Spider?

Based on 124,331 MOT tests across 8,177 vehicles.

71.8%
Pass Rate
1,906
Miles/Year
42
Year Lifespan
8,177
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 5,076
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 4,433
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 3,048
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 2,697
Service brake: efficiency below requirements 2,135
Full Alfa Romeo Spider reliability report

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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

S493 RCS is a 1998 Alfa Romeo Spider in Grey with a 1,970cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 51.7%.

Across all 1998 Alfa Romeo Spider models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.5% with a typical mileage of 77,205 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Alfa Romeo Spider fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 5,076 recorded failures. If you're considering buying S493 RCS, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Alfa Romeo Spider typically stays on UK roads for around 42 years. At 28 years old, this Alfa Romeo Spider is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of S493 RCS?

You can check the full history of S493 RCS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S493 RCS registered?

S493 RCS is a 1998 Alfa Romeo Spider, first registered on 1 November 1998.

Is S493 RCS safe to buy?

The MOT history for S493 RCS shows 29 tests with a 51.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S493 RCS have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on S493 RCS. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.